Glory Days
Golf Tournament
Whitetail Golf Resort
10.04.2025
A heartfelt photography story capturing the Be A Lion Foundation’s “Vision in the Orange” reveal — honoring Kannon Shives, celebrating community, and finding inspiration in perseverance, faith, and love.
There are moments that stay with you — the ones that remind you why you keep showing up, even when life feels heavy. Early this October was one of those moments.
The weekend of the Be A Lion Foundation’s Community Center reveal - "A Vision in The Orange" - wasn’t just another golf event. It was a heartbeat — a gathering of strength, faith, and love. The Foundation reveal took place at Whitetail Golf Resort during the annual Glory Days Golf Tournament, where each hole was proudly sponsored by local businesses such as Middletown Valley Bank, Ernst Country Market, and so many others who believe in the mission. Throughout the day, players had the chance to enter raffles — prizes ranging from a few nights’ stay at Deep Creek Lake to a free photo session donated by me. By the end of the tournament, nearly $14,000 had been raised in support of building the future Community Center.
It was more than a tournament; it was a community coming together to honor a life that continues to inspire, and to build something that will carry that legacy forward for generations.
As someone who’s spent years on the sidelines as an athletic trainer, I’ve seen what perseverance looks like. I’ve watched athletes push through pain, come back from loss, and chase greatness with grit that never fades. Now, as I’ve shifted my path into photography, I find myself drawn to that same spirit — capturing it, preserving it, and sharing it through my lens.
That weekend, surrounded by laughter, tears, and the sound of proud hearts, I saw that familiar grit again. Not on a field or court this time, but in the faces of a community that refuses to give up.
“To Be a Lion Is to Embrace Every Moment”
When I talked with Mark, Kannon’s dad, about the foundation and the heart behind it, his words painted the clearest picture of who Kannon was.
“Kannon was a human that wanted to bring simple and fun to life. He had a strong faith and lived for the success of others… a smile that was contagious.”
Mark’s tone softened when he talked about his son’s spirit.
“I used to call Kannon a lion,” he said. “When he got older, he had this shaggy blonde hair — reminded me of a mane — and he’d roar when good things happened. His relentless pursuit to be better, as a person and as a player, was inspiring. To be a lion means to embrace whatever moment you’re in — good or bad — and fight through it.”
That line stuck with me. Because life doesn’t spare any of us from the hard days. But when you see people like Kannon — and families like his — you realize that courage isn’t about avoiding pain. It’s about finding light in the middle of it.
A Vision Brought to Life
When Meggan Shives reached out and asked if I could create a visual for the community center reveal, she wanted it to be something people could feel, not just see. She sent me the architectural blueprints, and I spent the days leading up to the event sketching what would eventually become the artwork revealed that weekend.
Meggan specifically asked for an orange sky — a color that would forever symbolize Kannon’s light. That warm, radiant orange became a reminder of his presence — of sunsets that feel like hugs, of faith that keeps shining through.
As I drew, I thought about all the moments of resilience I’ve witnessed through the years — the athletes who refused to quit, the parents who kept believing, the stories that needed to be told. This one felt deeply personal.
When the drawing was finally revealed, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, that orange sky stretched over us all — a vision of hope made real.
Lions Run in a Pride
“The foundation will always push to keep Kannon’s name alive and to help those that may need a little love,” Mark shared. “Lions run in a pride, and we want to grow ours together.”
That line says it all. The Be A Lion Foundation has become more than a name — it’s a movement of compassion. From scholarships and family outreach to holiday deliveries for those in need, the foundation has turned loss into legacy.
And that weekend, the University of Maryland Volleyball Team made the drive — nearly two hours — to show their support. Their presence added another layer of meaning to the event. It reminded everyone there that sports, at their core, are about connection, community, and heart.
The next day, my own family got to sit in the stands and cheer on the same Maryland volleyball team as they faced Penn State. Watching my daughter wave her little hands and shout “turtle turtle!” made my heart so happy. Her time once spent in the athletic training rooms and sidelines may be far and in between nowadays, but she’s still a part of this world — one filled with spirit, energy, and love for the game.
"A legacy that lives on"
When I asked Mark what he thought Kannon would say if he could see what’s being built, he smiled through the emotion.
“Kannon would be honored, humbled, and all smiles,” he said. “I can see him right now yelling, ‘LET’S GOOOOO!’ — hair flying everywhere — and all of us smiling and following his lead.”
That’s the kind of energy that carries people forward. That roar of joy, of faith, of purpose.
“Kids need to hear stories of greatness,” Mark said. “That’s what Kannon offered. From leading team prayers to cheering for his teammates’ success, he was a great son, brother, and friend. Living a lion life isn’t easy — but when you hear about someone who did, it gives the next generation the motivation to try.”
From Sidelines to Shutter Clicks
Standing there that weekend, camera in hand, I realized something: my journey has come full circle.
As an athletic trainer, I once helped athletes heal. Now, as a photographer, I get to help stories live on.
I’ve been blessed to work alongside some of the greatest competitors, and now I get to share their spirit — not through tape and treatment tables, but through images that speak to resilience, love, and legacy. The Be A Lion Foundation and “A Vision in the Orange” are proof that even through heartbreak, something beautiful can grow. When faith meets purpose, light follows.
And as long as we keep telling these stories — of courage, of hope, of families like the Shives — that light will never fade.
Because some stories deserve to be remembered in every shade of orange.
