In August, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro released a long awaited grand jury report into sexual abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses. The Post-Gazette had been working on this story for months and because of that I heard a few details but not everything. But I found out that the report listed 300 priest offenders while listening to NPR and driving and I almost crashed. Since it’s release, like everyone else I’ve learned more and the whole thing is sickening. When I found out that I was assigned to contribute to this story, I can’t say that I was excited about it. But I knew that I would have an opportunity to contribute to one of the most important stories this year. Besides that I found myself photographing a mixture of things. High School football also started this month. I was worried because I haven’t photographed football since Syracuse but it’s off to a good start.
Naomi Frenkel, from Oakland, left, listens on as Susan Smith, from Friendship, right, speaks during the Grannies Respond event at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday August 1, 2018, in Shadyside. The Grannies are on a 2,000 mile journey to the border that started in New York and are stopping in various cities to protest the inhumane treatment of immigrants. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Portrait of Mae Bae during the 2018 Afro-Nubian Parade on Friday August 3, 2018, in Homewood.
Portrait of Corey Lankford during the 2018 Afro-Nubian Parade on Friday August 3, 2018, in Homewood.
Kahila Miller, of Homewood, dances with various flags from the West Indies dances during the 2018 Afro-Nubian Parade on Friday August 3, 2018, in Homewood. For this parade theme people were encouraged to dress in carnaval, Caribbean, and Wakanda outfits that represents those of African descent while creating a sense of community and celebrating pride. The parade lead directly into the Harambee Festival. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Lebraya Latimer, from the Hill District, left, Prince Williams, from East Liberty, center, and Vonnie Sewell, from Penn Hills, right, dance for Level Up Studios during the 2018 Afro-Nubian Parade on Friday August 3, 2018, in Homewood. For this parade theme people were encouraged to dress in carnaval, Caribbean, and Wakanda outfits that represents those of African descent while creating a sense of community and celebrating pride. The parade lead directly into the Harambee Festival. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Powerboats take off during the start of the USF1 Powerboat Trials on the Allegheny River during the EQT Three Rivers Regatta on Saturday August 4, 2018, in North Shore. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
An Elvis impersonator uses a Flyboard on the Allegheny River during the EQT Three Rivers Regatta on Saturday August 4, 2018, in North Shore. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Russell Kaus, XPogo member from Fairfax VA, performs a trick on a pogo stick during the EQT Three Rivers Regatta on Saturday August 4, 2018, in North Shore. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Sara Innamorato, from Lawrenceville, left, makes room for Christine E. Mitchell, Master Patrol Officer from Zone 5 station, right, as they dance to the cupid shuffle during National Night Out on North Pacific Avenue on Tuesday August 7, 2018, in Garfield. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that helps to promote community and police relations and neighborhood camaraderie. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Ellis James, of Pittsburgh Circus Arts Collective from Highland Park, left, performs a magic trick while Keith Harris JR, from East Hills, reacts to the trick during National Night Out on North Pacific Avenue on Tuesday August 7, 2018, in Garfield. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that helps to promote community and police relations and neighborhood camaraderie. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Bishop David Zubik addresses the media about the public release of the Grand Jury Report investigating child sexual abuse by clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and five other dioceses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Diocese of Pittsburgh on Tuesday August 14, 2018, in Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Bishop David Zubik departs after addressing the media about the public release of the Grand Jury Report investigating child sexual abuse by clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and five other dioceses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Diocese of Pittsburgh on Tuesday August 14, 2018, in Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Brady Eastman, of McKeesPort, slides into a puddle after a sudden rainstorm left Renziehausen Park wet and muddy during the International Village 59 annual celebration at Renziehausen Park on August 16, 2018, in MckeesPort. International Village annual celebration is a three-day celebration of various traditions and heritages, that includes food, music, dancing, and traditional clothing from around the world. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Rich Martino, from McKeesPort, dances to an empty stage during the International Village 59 annual celebration at Renziehausen Park on August 16, 2018, in MckeesPort. “ I do this for God.” (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Gerald “Sky-Walker” Warrick, of the Harlem Wizards from East Liberty, left, cuts the hair of Anthony Spencer, from the Hill District, right, as Sincere Scott, from the Hill District, dances during a back to school haircut event on Tuesday August 21, 2018, in Larimer. The event which was sponsored by Lota Phi Foundation, also had lawyers on hand giving legal advice and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. also provided attendees information on their scholarships and programs. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Gerald “Sky-Walker” Warrick, of the Harlem Wizards from East Liberty, right, cuts the hair of Anthony Spencer, from the Hill District, left, during a back to school haircut event on Tuesday August 21, 2018, in Larimer. The event which was sponsored by Lota Phi Foundation, also had lawyers on hand giving legal advice and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. also provided attendees information on their scholarships and programs. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Sincere Scott, from the Hill District, poses for a photo after receiving a haircut during a back to school haircut event on Tuesday August 21, 2018, in Larimer. The event which was sponsored by Lota Phi Foundation, also had lawyers on hand giving legal advice and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. also provided attendees information on their scholarships and programs. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
James Phillip Harris Jr, the newly hired Woodland Hills Superintendent, right, listens as Darnika Reed, from Wilkins Township, speaks before the Woodland Hills School Board about why she is against having police officers in schools during the Woodland Hills School Board meeting during a special session focused on the police contract vote at Woodland Hills Administration building on August 15, 2018, in North Braddock. Residents fear having police officers in schools because they believe students would criminalized for infractions that are typically addressed by school administrators. The school board would vote unanimously to renew the contracts to have police in schools. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Mark Craighead, #25, of Central Catholic, pumps his team up during warmups before the Central Catholic vs Erie Prep opening season football game at the Western Pennsylvania versus Everyone Showcase at Wolvarena on Friday August 24, 2018, in Turtle Creek. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Kenneth Blake, #48, of Central Catholic, stiff arms Billy Lucas, #4, of Cathedral Prep of Erie, during the Central Catholic vs Cathedral Prep of Erie opening season football game at the Western Pennsylvania versus Everyone Showcase at Wolvarena on Friday August 24, 2018, in Turtle Creek. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Chef Fiori Molletz, from Della Terra, stirs polenta that would be used to accompany his Porchetta for the first Festa Della Porchetta at Churchview Farms on Saturday August 25, 2018, in Baldwin. The Festa Della Porchetta featured four chefs “squaring off” to roast porchetta, an Italian pork specialty. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Ann Dedousis, from McCandless, center, looks at the crowd while performing with the Holy Trinity Greek Dance Troupe during the Holy Trinity festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday August 29, 2018, in McCandless Township. The festival featured traditional Greek food, dancing, and Greek tradition. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Ryan Swangy, of the Pittsburgh Steeline from Monroeville, left, plays his drums with the Pittsburgh Steeline in a mock band battle with the Chartiers-Houston Marching Band prior to the preason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Carolina Panthers on Thursday August 30, 2018, in North Shore. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Ethan Moore, #2, of Quaker Valley, keeps the ball and dives for a touchdown during the defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Quaker Valley’s first game of the football season against Central Valley at Quaker Valley High School on Friday August 31, 2018, in Leetsdale. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)