Melissa O’Neil is the CEO of Central Iowa Shelter and Services. Melissa began planning for the COVID-19 pandemic back in February, knowing that the homeless population is 1.5 times more likely to get COVID-19 and 2.5 times more likely to die from it. She implemented a plan to open emergency shelters at hotels and the state fairgrounds. “I know that God goes with us. I know that as long as I lead within my purpose, and coach my team to serve within theirs, we will get through this.”
Bambi Press is the community nutrition manager at WesleyLife Meals on Wheels in Des Moines. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meals on Wheels saw a 40% increase in new clients in one month. “This is the hardest job I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” she said.
Helen Eddy is the director of the Polk County Health Department. Back in late March, Helen came across an older woman from the assisted living facility across the street from the health department building. The woman thanked her for working hard to protect Iowans. Helen recalled that she almost stared crying. “It put a real face on the work that we’re doing. I though, who am I fighting for today? Well, I’m fighting for her.”
Hijinio Carreon is the chief medical officer at MercyOne Central Iowa. During the height of the pandemic, he would often work 16 hours a day, leading the charge to increase capacity for COVID-19 patients and researching the best treatment options. He leans on his wife and 3 daughters to keep going. “Being completely honest, I don’t think there is any way I would be able to work these hours and deal with this situation without their total support.”
Photo illustration of Andrea, Hugo and Jair, all Iowa State community members who are DACA recipients. Andrea and Jair have chosen not to show their full faces out of fear for repercussions.
Deia Lasu, a senior at Lincoln Southeast High School, poses for a portrait on Friday. After hearing a quote read over the intercom about the hope that society would one day be colorblind, she felt offended. She wants the world to see, acknowledge and accept her race and culture.
Megan Johnson, the street outreach director for I've Got a Name, often meets with the women she helps at coffee shops around Lincoln. I've Got a Name is an organization that fights to end sex trafficking in Nebraska. As someone who escaped the industry 10 years ago, Megan able to use her own experiences to connect with the women she meets with, who often face an uphill battle to get back to a normal life.
Scarlett Eagle, junior in genetics, has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, hypermobility type, or hEDS. Symptoms of hEDS include chronic joint pain and dislocation, and there is no known cure. Currently, to manage her pain, she uses a federal handicapped parking pass and takes over nine pills a day.
Giselle Sancen Valero is a DACA recipient from Mexico City, Mexico. Sancen has been victim to racism, has seen her dad get deported, and watched her stepdad die from liver failure.
Jake Kestel, 18, checks his cast at Dale Maffitt Reservoir on July 26, 2016.
Prior to playing at Cyclone Hockey, Justin Brown, sophomore in criminal justice, spent 3-and-a-half years serving with the U.S. Army.
At 5-foot-3, USC Upstate guard Brianna Lewis maneuvers around 6-foot-2 forward Nebraska's Grace Mitchell at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Nov. 11, 2018.
Omaha South's Edrei Murillo nears the finish line at the Harold Scott Invitational on Sept. 13, 2018 at Pioneers Park.
Omaha Duchesne's Meghan Pellett can't get a dig against Norris during a Class B quarterfinal match on Nov. 8, 2018 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Illinois' Cole Henderson pushes off the blocks during the men's 4x100-meter relay at the Drake Relays in Des Moines on April 28, 2017.
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins is framed within Minnesota's Adanna Rollins' fingers on Oct. 10, 2018 at Devaney Sports Center.
Iowa State defenseman Jake Arroyo is tripped up during the game against Jamestown at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena on Jan. 23, 2017.
A student holds a cutout of Iowa State guard Deonte Burton before the start of the Cyclones' game against Kansas on Jan. 16, 2017. Cutouts of each player's head are given out by Cyclone Alley, the student spirit organization for Iowa State basketball, before each game.
South Central Calhoun's Kody Case trips while handing the baton to Jared Birks during the boys Class 2A sprint medley relay at the state track and field championships in Des Moines on May 20, 2017.
Nebraska cornerback Lamar Jackson relishes in the Huskers' 9-6 win over Michigan State in the snow at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 17, 2018.
Iowa State assistant gymnastics coach Katie Minasola reacts after Meaghan Sievers' beam routine Feb. 17, 2017.
Kansas guard Devonte' Graham fouls on Iowa State senior Nazareth Mitrou-Long on Jan. 16 at Hilton Coliseum. The No. 2 Jayhawks defeated the Cyclones 76-72.
Iowa State's Jhoanmy Luque competes in the triple jump at the Drake Relays in Des Moines on April 28, 2018.
Iowa State freshman Natalia Ros Vaquer performs her floor routine during the Cyclones' home meet against Arizona on Jan. 12, 2018.
Nebraska head volleyball coach John Cook speaks with his players during their first practice of the season on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 at the Devaney Sports Center.
Members of the Kuemper Catholic baseball team warm up before their semifinal game at Principal Park in Des Moines on Thursday, July 27.
Iowa State's Joel Lanning leaps over the dogpile during the game against UNI on Sept. 2, 2017. The Cyclones defeated the Panthers 42-24.
Participants in the boys Class B heat climb up a small hill at the NSAA State Cross Country Championships at the Kearney Country Club on Oct. 19, 2018.
The Iowa State Cyclones hosted the Arizona State Sun Devils at Hilton Coliseum for simultaneous gymnastics and wrestling meets, dubbed 'Beauty and the Beast’ on Jan. 6, 2017.
Mid-Prairie's Anna (4) and Marie Hostetler (5) embrace after placing in first and second respectively, in the girls 3000-meter run at the Drake Relays on May 18, 2017. The two finished within five seconds of each other, with the third place runner finishing 20 seconds later.
Kuemper Catholic's Rease Snyder looks to steal home as Cole Halbur hits a foul ball in the sixth inning of the Knights’ 5-3 win over Van Meter at the state baseball tournament at Principal Park on July 24, 2017.
A pair of fairgoers cool off in a fountain at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 9, 2019.
Candidates Theresa Greenfield and Mike Franken participate in the US Senate Democratic Primary debate hosted by Iowa Press at Iowa PBS on May 19, 2020.
A contestant in the Iowa State Fair’s Big Boar contest is given a Bud Light Lime before being weighed on Aug. 8, 2019.
Pete Buttigieg supporters cheer his arrival during his speech following the Iowa Caucuses on Feb. 3, 2020.
Clockwise from left: Josh Davis, Makayla Dierberger and Sarah Daugherty prepare for a night of scaring at Roca Scary Farm on Oct. 12, 2018.
Despite her 7-year-old son Auggie's attempts at touching her feet, Kristi Shoemaker is not distracted as she completes a series of ring rows during a functional training workout at Set the Bar on Nov. 18, 2018.
Matt Lukacs, a member of the Lake Panorama Ski Team, loses his balance during the annual Ski Show on Aug. 5, 2017.
Scott Frost makes his way through the Unity Walk for his first game as Nebraska’s head football coach on Sept. 1, 2018.
A graduate adjusts her mask as she walks across the stage at East High School's socially distant commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
Fire crews look for a man who was initially believed to still be inside the home at the scene of a house fire at 1113 37th Street on Jan. 9, 2018.
Heather Dunn walks back to her seat after reading a prepared statement during the College Republicans impeachment proceedings on Nov. 15, 2017. Dunn was impeached on two counts of alleged sexual assault and four counts of sexual harassment.
Local band FREAKABOUT performs at Lincoln Calling at Duffy's Tavern on Sept. 20, 2018.
The Nebraska student section sings along to ACDC's 'Thunderstruck' in the middle of a weather delay on Sept. 1, 2018 at Memorial Stadium.
Elena Fullerton (left) is comforted as her mom shares her experience with sexual assault during the Letting Survivors Speak rally on Sept. 27, 2018 at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Emma Reinhart, 13, shaves her mom's hair at the St. Baldricks event in Panora on Aug. 4, 2017. Reinhart was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016 and has lost her hair twice during treatment.
An Army ROTC cadet struggles to swim to the side of the pool in full gear during the annual Combat Water Survival Training at Beyer Hall on Nov. 8, 2015.
UNL student Steve Wilson writes a message in Elvish on the free speech ball outside of the Nebraska Union on Sept. 17, 2018. The ball, which was co-sponsored by Young Americans for Liberty and Turning Point USA, was to celebrate Constitution Day.
Then-presidential candidate and Republican front-runner Donald Trump looks at the media during his rally at the Hansen Agriculture Learning Center on Jan. 19, 2016.
Members of the Iowa State greek community perform a skit during the first round of Yell Like Hell on Oct. 25, 2015. The event has been an annual tradition since 1963.
