When Morris Township-Morris Plains Patch Editor Kathy Shaskan first mentioned that she had a high school student photographing an assignment, my first question was: Is he any good?

Little did I realize Jacob Byk, an 18-year-old senior at Morristown High School, knew his way around a camera just fine. Since that first freelance assignment, Jacob has become one of our regular "go-to" guys for Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains assignments. Whether it's photographing the MHS theater department taking over the Morristown Diner, or capturing the stillness of a snowy day, Jacob has proven himself behind the camera time and again.

And, we're not the only ones recognizing Jacob Byk for his efforts. He recently participated in the Arts Council of the Morris Area Blackwell Street juried student show, where he tied for first place in photography, and he has been accepted to Kent State University for photojournalism this fall. 

Besides photography, Jacob is good with children, and has taken a teaching job at a sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania this summer, "which I'm stoked for."

And, while we're equally "stoked" for Jacob's success, it is tinged with bittersweet sadness that he won't be able to shoot his great photos of Morristown from Pennsylvania. Still, we wish him the best and will make sure to take advantage of his talent until that fateful time comes!