The Stillies

With 2006 coming to an end, I will be posting soon the first ever Stillies - moments that, while taken with the participants in motion, really make me stay still (temporarily ;) ) and reflect on all the emotion and beauty of as I saw it.

As a sneak peek, the first Stillie will go to a moment I captured as a photojournalist, Amanda Dobbs skating at the HP Ice Arena. Amanda has been skating since she was 2 1/2 and skates for hours each day. Off the ice she often rehearses entire skating events in her head to be prepared mentally as well.

These photo win the Stillie for Most Athletic Moments of 2006





Her mom also wrote a letter to the editor of my paper, below, which we published:

Enjoyed daughter's coverage

I wanted to thank everyone at the Pinnacle for the really nice story that you all put together on our daughter, Amanda. We have received numerous calls from friends and others that live in the area with people's excitement about the story that you did.

Danielle was wonderful to work with and did a great job interacting with Amanda and her coach and people were very impressed with the photos. The coverage was exciting for all of the people at the rink and the other places where Amanda trains to see - many very impressed that a figure skater got that much press - as that doesn't always happen at the "up and coming" level of skating … so when it does it is much appreciated!

Anyway, we just wanted to send our thanks to the paper and to John, for his continued work in bringing Amanda's story to people's attention - it makes her feel really good and has given her some nice home-town support as she heads off for the last of her qualifying competitions on Monday in Seattle. Thanks so much for being willing to cover her.


Laura Dobbs
Hollister