At every high school sports game, Emma Lenz is there with a camera, ready to capture every second. Her photos may be well known around the school, but the photographer behind the photos deserves the spotlight just as much as her snapshots do.
Lenz has practically dedicated her high school career to her love of photography and sports. One of her favorite high school memories include attending the JEA convention in Boston with some of her favorite people. While there, she was able to make herself known in the media and sports industry and her love for photography was solidified. She recalls when her and senior Alicia Hoppes were stuck in some “not-so-great nine-hour-long” presentations that led them to explore the city of Boston.
Another favorite memory of hers is the Hudson football games. One game in particular is the Homecoming game. “Something about everyone dressing in all white and throwing flour or baby powder or setting off white confetti and celebrating together is so special and such a unique experience that doesn’t happen that often in high school or life in general,” shared Lenz. During the football games, she can be seen all over the field dressing up for every theme in some of the coolest and most elaborate outfits. She is the definition of school spirit as she always is cheering on the team and making everyone feel welcomed.
Lenz talks about her favorite class, yearbook. The course has defined her entire high school career. “I don’t get a lot of time to be creative, so the yearbook was such a great outlet for me to express that part of me.” She has been able to learn so much more about interviewing students and sports photography. With the help of the yearbook advisor, Mrs. Crecelius, Lenz has also gotten to travel to San Francisco for another JEA convention with her class to further her love of photography and the industry. Lenz comments how last year has taught her so much and has immensely helped her skills in collaboration and communication. Lenz shares, “I can’t thank the yearbook enough for all it has done for me. It has truly helped shape who I am today.”
During her time at HHS, Lenz played lacrosse. She started 12 years ago and has always loved the sport. Through some rough patches during her high school career, lacrosse has always been a steady part of her life of which she can always rely on. She has made many life-long friendships that will stick with her when looking back at her time at HHS. Her favorite memory of being on the team are the pregame dance parties to get hyped before game time. She reminisces how long lacrosse has been a part of her life and how it will soon come to an end.
Although Lenz has accomplished a series of remarkable things during her time at Hudson, one of her proudest moments is receiving an internship with the Rock Entertainment Group. The group helps out with games for the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, the NHL Lake Erie Monsters and other events that occur at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Downtown Cleveland. All of her hard work she has dedicated to yearbook, sports photography and the JEA conventions has truly paid off through amazing opportunities like this.
Lenz has decided on the University of Tennessee for marketing with a minor in sports management along with turf science. Although she has just recently made the decision public, she was certain of her choice since seeing it in 2017 whilst visiting family. One of the main reasons she chose the University of Tennessee is due to their strong sense of community and how they have students who want to better themselves and the world around them. Lenz has her heart set on pursuing a career in sports which closely aligns with the school’s amazing records in athletics. Lenz shares how her parents established a love of Dolly Parton and the outdoors into her; so having Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains only 40 minutes away was an extra bonus.
Emma Lenz shares some words of wisdom with oncoming and current high school students, “Even when things get rough and you feel like you might not fit in right now, it doesn’t mean you don’t fit in anywhere. You will always find your people at some point.”
On behalf of everyone who has had the opportunity to meet Emma’s fun and positive self and those who were touched by her incredible pictures, we wish her luck and thank her for everything she’s done for Hudson High School.
