Fake Assignment

An assignment placed me at the 4H banquet Wednesday night. The Tomczak family was also at the banquet and had invited me to join them several days before. I thought I would be able to make it, then realized I was working the 2-10 shift and the banquet was at 6 p.m. I notified them that I'd try to make it but I may have an assignment that night. Sure enough, I had an assignment, but coincidentally it was at the banquet to photograph a woman who was retiring after several decades with the Midland County 4H. So, I found the Tomczaks and sat with them for a little. When it was time to eat, I made up an excuse and went into the hall to wait until everyone was finished and to avoid any awkwardness being offered to join in the meal. I was on assignment covering the banquet and it wasn't my place to eat. I met up with the retiree, who was a very lively woman named Sally. I followed her around as she made some rounds to the tables and joked with friends. When she went back to her seat, I was kneeling nearby, waiting for something to happen. The awards began and I continued to photograph Sally. All of a sudden, a story that sounded vaguely familiar was being read by a presenter. "No idea what 4H was...flip flops in manure," it all sounded too familiar. I looked up to notice one of the Tomczak girls at the exit nearby and looking at me laughing. It all came together, why my photo editor and co-worker, Ryan Wood, was laughing when we were discussing the assignment, why fellow staff photographer switched to the late shift as well to cover assignments. Sure enough, I was called on stage to receive the 'Friends of 4H' award and was notified that the assignment was fake. Everyone was in on it. Even Sally. I looked across the packed banquet hall and laughed. From July to November, I followed around the Tomczaks and their 4H club as they raised turkeys to donate to a local church's Thanksgiving dinner. To receive that award was pretty special and I was humbled they nominated me.