Here are my favorite frames from February, which consisted of a continuation of basketball playoffs and other slices of life. My most memorable experience was shooting a Valentine's Day dance party at SeniorLife. Esther Czekaj really knew how to boogie!
A firefighter knocks down a brush fire behind Hempfield Area High School on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016.
A wintery mix of freezing rain and snow surround a woman as she walks underneath a clock at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.
Abby Wirth kisses her boyfriend Shane Ostrosky after Ostrosky scratched off a lottery ticket worth $50 while the couple enjoys a picnic in the 60-degree weather on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at Mammoth Park near Mt. Pleasant.
Kristen Wagner, 38 of Charleroi, poses for a portrait in her home on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. Not many people know that adults are treated at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center (ACHD) provides long-term care at Children’s to adults with congenital heart disease. These adults have lived their life with a heart condition and some were once treated at Children’s when they were younger. Now, as an adult, they can receive comprehensive medical care at the same facility to continue to lead a happy, healthy and productive life. Wagner was immediately rushed to Children's after she was born in Uniontown. It was discovered that she had no pulmonary valve, a hole in her heart, and her right atrium was undeveloped. She was then diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS), a rare congenital heart defect. Kristen has underwent two more surgeries, one at 14 months old and then in 2014. She was doing well through her teen years, and when she was in her early 30’s, she started to not feel right again. She met with Dr. Stephen Cook, director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center at Children’s in 2011. They did a heart catherization in 2013, and it was discovered that she had several holes in her heart that were spreading. So, in 2014, after looking at all options, she had surgery and received a pig valve and all of the holes were patched up. Today, she is doing wonderful and is a college professor teaching math at Westmoreland County Community College.
Seton Hill University student Savannah Burch, a junior art therapy major from Bloomington, Ind., makes a bed at Saint Emma Monastery in Greensburg on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Seton Hill faculty, staff and students volunteered at eight community organizations in Greensburg and Hempfield as part of the university’s annual day of community service, “Take the Day On,” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
Esther Czekaj, 75 of Mt. Pleasant, uses her cane as an "air guitar" during a Valentine's dance at Senior LIFE in Greensburg on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.
Esther Czekaj, 75 of Mt. Pleasant, receives a hug from Antonio Moffa, 91 of Jeannette, during a Valentine's dance at Senior LIFE in Greensburg on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.
Hempfield's Michelle Burns is embraced in the locker room after beating Peters Township on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016 at Charleroi High School. Hempfield won 62-56.
Hempfield's Michelle Burns collects a loose ball against Peters Township's Lillian Young on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016 at Charleroi High School. Hempfield won 62-56.
Latrobe amps up before playing against Mt. Lebanon during a WPIAL Class AAAA first round basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 at Plum High School. Latrobe won 72-55.
Norwin's Maura O'Donnell lifts Taylor Ingel as the team celebrates their win over Pine Richland during the WPIAL semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at Fox Chapel High School. Norwin won 59-30.