The concept of “strength” comes to me in many forms. It is a broad term — Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary has nine different definitions for it.

During my last three years at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, I have had the honor of meeting some strong individuals and seen situations that require people to have a strong will.

Sometimes strength is literal. Sometimes strength is emotional. Strength can be the similarity in surviving a war or just trying to win a fight. Finding the courage to follow through comes from an inner power to commit and succeed.

Everyone has had to be strong for something or someone. These are the stories that have stayed with me since I became a photographer at the Daily Egyptian in fall 2007.