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| Trayvonne Roberts found this summer that his photography skills could take him places. Provided photo |
By Joe Sager
D3sports.com
When considering his future, Trayvonne Roberts has been told the sky is the limit.
After all, it’s something he experienced this summer.
Roberts, a Lakeland University junior, had a unique internship in marketing with the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin, a nonprofit aviation history museum based at the Sheboygan County Airport. The Aviation Heritage Center is open year-round and features historic aircraft, rare exhibits and special events.
“Going into it, I didn’t know anything about aviation,” he said with a laugh. “Just to be around that and learn so many things associated with aviation was very cool.”
Roberts’ responsibilities helped the center enhance its social media presence and promote events. He got to use his passion for photography and branched out into videography to create new content through various interviews.
“I have been trying to get into videography and we filmed some interviews with pilots and other people,” Roberts said. “Not only was it cool to video them, but listening to their stories was really great.”
One interview that stands out is of a German native visiting the area who came to see the touring C-54 Skymaster flown by Col. Gail Halvorsen during the Berlin Airlift from 1948-49. The woman lived in Berlin post-World War II and recalled the “Berlin Candy Bomber” as Halvorsen gained fame for dropping candy from his plane to German children gathered near the runway of Tempelhof Air Field.
“Listening to her story and all she went through was really incredible,” Roberts said.
Roberts is thankful for Lakeland's emphasis on its co-op program, where students can get credit for hands-on experience outside the classroom, to get the internship opportunity.
“That’s really amazing,” he said. “It’s always better to go out and get that experience, rather than just learn about it in a classroom.”
A safety on the gridiron for Lakeland, Roberts is used to shutting down airspace. At his internship, he got the chance to take flight.
“Everyone there was great to be around,” Roberts said. “Jay Hoofstra (a simulator manager/instructor at the center) gave me a lot of support. He took me in a simulator a couple times. One day, he asked me if I wanted to go up and fly a plane with him. It was so amazing to actually do it. I had never felt that feeling before.”
In addition to his marketing, photography and video skills, Roberts continued his communication development, too.
“I really improved on how I am able to connect with people,” he said. “I used to be a really shy guy. I didn’t talk to anybody that I didn’t know. That’s where Lakeland has done great things for me, too. I turned into somebody I always wanted to be. I am able to speak to people now and not be scared about what they might think about me or things like that.”
He’s definitely not afraid to introduce himself to the Muskies’ opponents. He’s tied for second on the squad with 16 tackles and has a team-best three fumble recoveries. He recorded two of those in Saturday’s 35-7 win at Rockford in the NACC opener for both squads.
“I didn’t even expect those fumbles. It was just me being in the right position,” Roberts said. “Our coach called great plays and I was just there.”
Roberts helped Lakeland’s defense pitch a shutout, too, with six tackles. The Regents’ lone score came on a fumble recovery.
“He’s doing a good job. He’s really aggressive downhill in the run game. He throws his body around,” Lakeland coach Colin Bruton said. “He’s one of those guys who always seems to be around the ball and making big plays when we need them.”
Roberts hopes the win will act as a springboard for the Muskies (1-2) as they welcome Aurora (2-2), the preseason NACC favorite, this Saturday.
“I feel like our last game showed who we could really be. The first two games didn’t go how we wanted them to. The defense had a tough time stopping the run, but, if the guys buy in like I know we can, we have a real good shot at the conference championships this year. Last game gave us all the confidence,” Roberts said. “I am excited for the rest of the year. It’s still early, but I feel confident in my playing ability.”
Off the field, Roberts continues his photography. He’s taken photos for various Muskies programs and will work with the men’s basketball team in the winter.
“I love sports and I love football, but it’s hard for me to take football photos during the season, so I’ve mainly stuck with other sports,” he said. “Photography has always been in the back of my mind since I was a little kid. My dad was a photographer. Just growing up, I watched him take photos all the time. Just seeing the smiles he gave his clients whenever they saw their photos, it was amazing.
“My favorite sport to shoot is basketball. That’s just because of the excitement and emotions that people bring. Since the players aren’t wearing helmets or anything, you clearly see every single emotion that is going through someone. The best things are the intense games because you really see all the emotions.”
Roberts hopes to land another valuable internship this summer.
“I want to lean more towards a photography internship, but one that dealhttps://www.instagram.com/viewsbytray/s with marketing as well,” he said. “This summer has opened me up to anything because I never know where I’ll be in the next five years or so. Having aviation experience — who knows — I might go market for an airline or something?”
You can see his work on his Instagram account (@viewsbytray), which features a link to his online portfolio.
