Daniel Van, 25, looks down the path to see when he should lead the lion dance troupe to its next obstacle stage on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, Missouri. Van started dancing with Phổ Hiền Lion Dance Troupe in 2012. He was one of the three leaders who rebuilt the team from less than 10 members to its current success of 30 to 40 members.
Alpacas stare into the pastures during the 11th annual National Alpaca Farm Day on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Binder's Hilltop Apple and Berry Farm. The alpacas had spent the morning socializing with children as volunteers from MU's College of Veterinary Medicine spoke about their history. Huong Truong/Missourian
The Missouri Review editor Speer Morgan reads manuscripts on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 in Columbia. Morgan grew up working in his grandfather's hardware store in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Junior Jennifer Wei fixates her attention on her abstract self-portrait at Moberly Area Community College’s studio. Wei's passions lie in helping children and doing art.
Missouri Contemporary Ballet dancers Nicole Bell, left, and Jose Soares, right, embrace during a pinnacle moment of rehearsal on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 in Columbia. The contemporary ballet company was rehearsing for its upcoming original production, Eclipse in Movement, which will premiere on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at 7 p.m. in Missouri Theatre.
Missouri Contemporary Ballet hosts rehearsal for its Eclipse In Movement show on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 in Columbia. Under the direction of Karen Mareck Grundy, the show days will be Nov. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. in Missouri Theatre. Against the mirror wall watching from left to right: Rehearsal Director Ken Braso, Director Karen Mareck Grundy, Choreographer and dancer Fernando Rodriguez, dog Snappelle and dancer Nicole Bell. Dancing is Elise Eslick. Huong Truong/Missourian
Ana Garcia pauses to recollect herself after recalling risks her parents took coming to the U.S. on Saturday, September 23, 2017. It took her parents six months and multiple tries crossing the desert to get to California. Afterwards, they set up plans with someone to smuggle their two eldest children, a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old, across the border through a check point in the dark of night. Garcia strongly believes that she had God by her side when the border officer was questioning her. Five-year-old Garcia could tell that the officer knew that she was lying about her identity. The officer, due to a random influx of traffic, let them cross. Huong Truong/Missourian
One-year-old Xavi Herrera-Garcia plays with a taped up ninja sword as his uncle Kevin Garcia, 13, watches him on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Both are U.S.-born citizens, but Garcia spent most of grade-school years in Mexico after moving with his mom and brother to be with his father in August 2011. He speaks fluent Spanish and currently attends middle school. Xavi was able to meet his grandparents in Mexico when Garcia's aunt, a U.S. citizen, legally took the baby across the border during a vacation to California.
UM System President Mun Choi attends Columbia's Chamber of Commerce's Lunch with a Leader event on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Daniel Boone Regional Library. House Budget Chairman Scott Fitzpatrick spoke about the budget outlook for the next fiscal year at the event. Choi later sat down with a reporter from Vox Magazine for an interview. Huong Truong/Missourian
A fashion shoot for Vox Magazine with the 2017 fall clothing trends on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Capen Park. Models are Rebecca Mardikes, Sierra John and Alycia Washington. Huong Truong/Missourian
Brian Neuner is president of the Boone Hospital Center's Board of Trustees and director of business development and publication for the Joe Machens Dealership Group. Neuner was honored with a Missourian Progress Award in fall 2017. Huong Truong/Missourian
Sophomore Corinne Farid returns the ball during a match against Hannibal High School on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 at Cosmo-Bethel Park. Farid is ranked first at Rock Bridge and won her singles match without giving a point away.
Assistant coach Lee Franklin runs through a drill with players at Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School football practice on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. The Trailblazers were 0-2 to start the season after playing Lutheran High School of St. Charles County.
Sigma Kappa Sorority seniors Lucia La Torre, left, and Rachel Szopa, right, work on the finishing touches of the painted burning columns on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 at Vinyl Renaissance and Audio. The MU's 2017 homecoming theme is Rhythm of the Roar.
Ansleigh Watson(cq), 12, left and Kadence Yaeger(cq), 11, right, run sideways down the hallway on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at John B. Lange Middle School. The girls were paired into groups to learn how to watch out for one another as they go through exercise challenges. Huong Truong/Missourian
Mable Ballenger, Carl Ballenger and Eryca Neville(cq) rejoice after cutting the ribbon to reopen Douglass High School on Thursday, September 7, 2017. The Ballengers, husband and wife duo, graduated from Douglass High in 1955. Mable said one of her most cherished memories at Douglass was being a cheerleader. Huong Truong/Missourian