One flash captures the roar of the crowd, their hands frozen in the warm night air, their smiles alight with joy. One flash captures the arc of the football, illuminated by bright lights, as it descends into a gloved hand reaching skyward to catch it. One flash from his camera is all it takes for Jase Michel, a senior at Summit, to photograph the electric spirit of Summit’s Friday night football game.
“I stick my camera up [into the crowd] and everyone just goes crazy,” explained Michel. “It’s such a cool feeling.”
Michel first started taking photos with his dad, who was an avid photographer himself. During his freshman year, Michel was able to expand on this passion after joining Summit’s yearbook class. Generally, the Digital Arts Department at Summit, run by Mindy Mendenhall, grants the privilege of using the class cameras only to students taking one of the few photography classes offered to sophomores and above. However, through yearbook class, Michel was able to start taking photos on quality cameras a year sooner than most, helping him to develop key photography skills early on.
Now, as one of Summit’s two designated yearbook photographers, Michel’s photography is a reflection of the Storm community. His camera captures the spirit of student life at school dances, at sporting events and in the classroom.
“The yearbook staff can feel invisible, but [they are] so critical to making every student feel included,” explained Mendenhall. The students in yearbook class begin each year with the goal of including every student at Summit in the yearbook at least three times. Michel champions this goal by being present at almost every school event with a camera in hand. And in the rare moments when a camera is absent from his hand, it is almost certainly because a water polo ball has replaced it.
While he has dove deep into photography the last four years, Michel has been immersed in the sport of water polo for much longer. He began playing when he was only eight years old, and by the age of ten, the team he played for was ranked eighth in the nation. By his freshman year at Summit he was already competing with the varsity team for Summit Boys Water Polo.
Just last year, Michel’s leadership and lightning-fast shots were crucial in leading the team to win the 2024 5A State Championships. He was awarded the title of First Team All-State and All-Conference.
As his final season with the Storm Water Polo team comes to a close, Michel is hugely grateful for the commitment and camaraderie that he shares with his teammates.
“It’s so fun right now because the boys that are playing are all super invested,” he remarked. “It’s really cool to be with a team that really cares.”
Michel believes that this strong team dynamic will lead to one final state championship title to cap off his senior year. However, he hopes that his time playing water polo does not end with the closing of this season.
Michel is intending to play water polo at the collegiate level with the University of Oregon’s club team. He plans to study entrepreneurial business there as well, and he has hopes of becoming one of their sports photographers. Specifically, he dreams of photographing the University of Oregon football team.
Until then, Michel’s outgoing and compassionate presence will be felt all throughout the halls of Summit. While it is his camera that captures his dedication, it is his enthusiasm, whether it be in the classroom, in the pool or surrounded by his family and friends, that captures the admiration of the Storm community.
“[He] is a great guy. His humor is his best quality, and that’s why I like him,” admired Cade Sharp, a close friend of Michel.
In the near future, Michel will be chasing high aspirations at a new school, in a new city. But for now, immersed in the Summit student body, he will be grinning himself as his flash illuminates the smiling faces of his peers.
