Ornella Photography

Medill_Northwestern University

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Molly Falke is a Tennessee native with a business degree from Colorado State University. Upon graduation  in 2010, she became part of the missionary group FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. Now at Northwestern University, her third university, she wants "other people to fall in love with Jesus as well." It wasn't until a study abroad experience in 2009 in Strasbourg, France while on the rooftop of Notre Dame Cathedral where Falke heard God ask her why she was here on Earth. "Before I was living a life where I was caught up in the everything of this world: my reputation, money and sinful patterns. Isn't it funny how someone can call themselves a Christian and live a lifestyle completely contrary to the gospel," she said. A day in the life of Molly balances personal spirituality with student interactions and missionary work. 

1) As part of her daily prayer routine, Falke prays the rosary before 4:30 p.m. daily mass in the Sheil Catholic Center chapel in Evanston, Ill.

2) (L-R) Andy Dejka, Derek Lyssy, Whitney Lyssy, Molly Falke and Hannah Kauffold gather for a FOCUS teammate dinner and stick around for stories and homemade peanut butter cookies.

3) Falke regularly meets with students like freshman Joanna Mueller for reflection, prayer and to simply hang out. "We have conversations about God, if they are open to it or just talk about anything on his or her mind," she said.

4) Driving home in her Dodge SUV named JB2, in reference to Justin Bieber, Falke always keeps extra rosaries and sunglasses on hand.

5) Every Sunday after 9 p.m. mass, FOCUS missionaries and students will have a late night meal at JT's Bar and Grill in Evanston. Fr. Manuel Dorantes, right, joined them for a glass of wine and to recount his experience as a former Univision News reporter.

6) "It was my Christmas present. It was mom's guitar that she got for her 16th birthday." Falke who considers herself a proficient singer but with limited instrumental skill, follows along a YouTube tutorial in an attempt to tune the 70s guitar.

7) The night before finals week starts at Northwestern University, Falke and other Sheil Catholic Center volunteers passed out snacks and juice at Deering Library to motivate students to continue studying. "It was my first time in this library because missionaries don't get a Wildcard so I could never come in," she explained.

8) After hanging out with softball player Anna Petersen at the Northwestern University Lakefill, Falke and Petersen decided to have snowball throwing contest to see who can throw the farthest into the lake. "It is so hard for college students to take Christianity seriously and I want to change that," said Falke.

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Diptych:

1) Protestors gather along Plaza of the Americas on Michigan Avenue Saturday to speak out against the government in Venezuela.

2) With his Vinotinto cap that represents the national soccer team and his tricolor mask, this protestor takes a stand.

Photo Illustration:

Venezuelan citizens, families and students gathered in protest in Chicago against the Venezuelan government as part of a global awareness campaign called "S.O.S Venezuela."

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1. The Canopy of the Caura rain forest

2. Romero Gonzalez, a young Ye'kuana, showed his hunting trophy: two black currasow, birds resembling wild turkeys.

3. Felicia, a Ye'kuana woman, used a vine poison to fish in one of the Caura's stream.

4. Yolanda Gonzalez, right, a Ye'juana woman, carried firewood from the communal garden, or conuco, to her house.

5. Emilio Rodriguez, a Ye'kuana leader from Edowinna, wove a basket at a camp along the Nichare River.

6. Mateo Gonzalez and Santiago Rodriguez, two Ye'kuana from Edowinna, learned about the birds of the Caura.

7. A Ye'kuana woman weaves together a traditional blanket in the hunt.

8. The remote Caura rain forest and savnna is one of  South America's last virtually pristine river basins.

I tried to capture the everyday scenes of the reality of just the Ye'kuana people living in the rain forest of Venezuela. Basic survival routines: hunting for food, making tools and gathering firewood. Both men and women have to participate and contribute to their tribe. I started and ended with scenes of the rain forest so viewers get a sense of the setting- its remoteness and the fact that their way of life has remained intact for so long.

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1. Medill junior Polina Senderova works on exporting a video assignment for her broadcast class at the McCormick Tribune Center's fourth floor broadcast studio.

2. Senderova heads out of her job at the University Relations office. She has been working there since her freshman year, and this quarter clocks in every Monday and Wednesday morning and Friday afternoons.

3. One of five housemates, Joe Entenmen, awaits at the table ready to try Senderova’s dish.

4.Senderova and a housemate finish some late night school assignments in their living room.

5. Senderova practices keyboard while letting the chicken she is making for dinner defrost. She attended music school for 12 years and has played piano for almost 16 years. Senderova is currently music directing a Northwestern University theatre production.

Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

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1) Executive Director at the Alpha Phi Foundation, Ann Carstensen, has led this philanthropic organization for the past four years. She became a member of Alpha Phi at Iowa State University and after moving to Chicago she served on the Advisory Board at Alpha Phi's Beta Chapter at Northwestern University. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

2) Corri McFadden is the founder of eDrop-Off, an online luxury consignment service, as well as a host on the weekly fashion segment on Chicago's morning show, “You and Me This Morning.” Even while at a house brunch, McFadden's style is always on-point. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

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"I eenie meenie miney moe’d a school to apply to and chose Medill!" said Kelsey Adams, sophomore. Originally from Lake Forest, Ill., she didn’t expect to go to university so close to home. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

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On a slow business morning, Ben, employee at Peeled Evanston for over a year, serves a Rastfarian Breakfast blend. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

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Beauty Ritual: Weinberg sophomore Colleen Cassingham, 20, gets ready to start her Thursday with a 9 a.m. class. "I almost never leave the house without mascara," she said. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

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1. Beverly and George, married couple and chefs of Alpha Phi Fraternity Beta chapter, prepare Thursday night dinner for the house. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

2. Sophomore Cordelia Dewdney, admires the urban landscape installation of Dittmar Gallery's walls in Norris University Center at Northwestern. This exhibit entitled "Hub" by Amanda Burnham will be up until Feb. 9. Ornella Hernandez/ Medill

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1. In what seems like the second Polar Vortex of January, snow covered winter nights highlight Northwestern University's south campus.

2. Freshman, Nia Coffey, goes for the basket in the second quarter of the Tuesday night's game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois State University's women's basketball teams. Illinois took the close 76-74 victory over Northwestern.

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1. "Rage, Rage Against the Dying of the Light" is a light installation by Marco Nereo Rotelli on the façade of Charles Deering Library. Running from Jan. 13th-17th from 5-9 p.m. this installation is presented by Northwestern University and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of Chicago.

2. Early Monday morning stroll along University Place, Evanston.