Toledo Mud Hens first basemen Jordan Lennerton, left, tags out Syracuse Chiefs center fielder Brian Goodwin at first base to close out the first inning. The Toledo Mud Hens lost to the Syracuse Chiefs 9-3 at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio, on Friday, May 16, 2014.

After finishing my sophomore year at Ohio University, I took a week off and then started a summer photo internship at The Toledo Blade in Toledo, Ohio, on May 9th. So far, it has been an awesome experience working at The Blade. Since Toledo has a population of roughly 284,000 and the paper covers much of the city's surrounding areas, there's always a wide variety of assignments to cover-which is exactly why I love newspapers. From day one The Blade has had me jump right in to photographing daily newspaper assignments. I've gotten to shoot some minor league baseball and a lot of high school baseball and softball on the sports side. 

Going into work is never a drag. Yes, sometimes a day jam-packed with assignments or an event that turns out to be a bit lack luster can wear me out, but then I realize that doing all these things never feel like "work" at all. I'm getting to do what I love more than anything else all day, and I feel so genuinely blessed to have that privilege.

Everyone at The Blade has welcomed me with open arms, and the photo staff have been great to work with and help me grow as a photojournalist. I've already made some good friends at the paper, and my only regret so far is that I have only three months to spend here. I'm looking forward to photographing everything I can get my hands on and to make the summer count.

All photographs are copyrighted by The Toledo Blade are not to be used without explicit permission from the publication. Photographs are available for purchase at The Blade's website here.

Carla Nash, Nevaeh Buchanan's paternal grandmother, holds her hand to her mouth as tears well up in her eyes as she addresses the crowd during a vigil held at Saint Mary's Park in Monroe, Michigan, on Saturday, May 24, 2014 to mark the five year anniversary since her 5-year-old granddaughter was abducted and later found dead. 

Molly Baldwin, 8, leans in to place a flag at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio, on Friday, May 23, 2014. She is joined by siblings Isaac, 13, left, Maragaret, 5, Mark, 6, behind Molly in a cap, and Gabriel, 15, who holds Joise, 2, on his shoulders. Placing the flags has become a tradition for the Baldwins and their dad, Anthony Baldwin, right.

Billy Power holds an old photograph of Corporal Harold Reed in his home in Toledo, Ohio, on Monday, May 19, 2014. Both Power and Reed served in the armed forces during the Korean War, but Reed perished in the Chosin Reservoir during the conflict. Power has spent decades tirelessly working to ensure that the body of Reed be brought home to the United States and laid to rest with the rest of Reed's family. 

Marines Cpl. Kenneth Arp, left, Sgt. Marshall Grayson, center, and PFC. Austin Adams, right, carry the flag-covered casket of Cpl. Harold W. Reed to his final resting place on Saturday, May 24, 2014, in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Toledo, Ohio, 63 years after Reed's death and burial in the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea during the Korean War.

Director of Adult Faith Formation Margaret McCready, left, and Financial Clerk Deb Grisier stand in Gesu Roman Catholic Parish in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. The two explained that being a godparent in a religious sense is to ensure that a child's spirituality is fostered.

Sisters Lacey, left, and Lindsey Lake view mixed-media collages made by Candra Boggs during the Maple and Main Arts Festival in downtown Sylvania, Ohio, on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

Caught in the rain without an umbrella, Mckayla Mejia, 13, covers her head with a plastic grocery bag while walking with other students from Toledo School for the Arts towards the Valentine Theatre in downtown Toledo, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, for a rehearsal for the school's upcoming showcase.

Irene Kaufman, standing front right, and Stacia Dimit, standing back right, help guide participants how to prepare stuffed grape leaves during a cooking class held at the Greek Orthodox Church on Superior Street in Toledo, Ohio. Marlene Zissoff, front left, works with Cathy Bryant as Donna Titsworth works independently.

Jack Budas, 5, left, and Samantha Budas, 7, center attack their father Dave Budas with fishing rods they crafted as Ella Archer, 7, checks her own fishing rod during the Maple and Main Arts Festival in downtown Sylvania, Ohio, on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

Anthony Wayne Generals pitcher Mason Zimmerman, left, cheers on his teammates from the dugout as assistant coach Tim Pedro, right, spits out two sunflower seed shells on Thursday, May 29, 2014.

Napoleon Wildcats pitcher Zach Willeman is tagged out at home by Anthony Wayne Generals catcher D.J. Komisarek. The Anthony Wayne Generals defeated the Napoleon Wildcats 10-5 at Napoleon High School on Monday, May 19, 2014.

Anthony Wayne Generals center fielder Josh Schwerer reacts excitedly after scoring a run. The Anthony Wayne Generals defeated the Napoleon Wildcats 10-5 at Napoleon High School on Monday, May 19, 2014.

Toledo Mud Hens pitcher Drew Verhagen winds up for a pitch during the Toledo Mud Hen's game against the Charlotte Knights at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, May 31, 2014.