When I came to Emporia on April 20, 2010, I was prepared for it to be the last time I’d ever be in the city. I still had almost a month to go in college, and this would be my first interview for a potential job after graduation. I wanted the job at The Gazette, but with the tough job market, I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to get a job with almost a month to spare before graduation.
After my interview, I made sure to get a tour of The Gazette, wondering if I’d ever be back. I drove around town before heading back to school, hoping to see a little bit more of the place I thought I might never see again. A phone call the following Monday offering me the job came as a surprise and changed the course of my life.
I ended up back in Emporia right after graduation, to stay for 17 months. What I thought would be an opportunity to improve my job interview skills turned into the job to start my career. Today is my last day at The Gazette before I depart for a new adventure covering high school sports at the (Muncie, Ind.) Star Press. It’s a move that allows me to be much closer to my hometown of Cincinnati, where many of my family members and friends still live.
My time in Emporia is one I will remember fondly. There was the opportunity to cover state championships, both team and individual. And it will be hard to forget some of the most exciting finishes, from Jackson Perez’s buzzer-beater at sub-state to Emporia High’s recent football win over McPherson that was decided by three points and one yard, to countless other nailbiters that could fill pages and pages.
More than anything, though, I enjoyed learning something every day. Every time I went to an assignment, it was an opportunity to meet new people, see a new place, or just learn more about the rich sports scene in this area. I still remember showing up in Emporia knowing almost nothing about the various sports teams in this area, and it’s been a pleasure to learn so much in the interim.
It’s hard to put together one of these columns, but one last thing I think I should say is a simple thank you. So many of you have done something for me that has made my life easier in my time here, gestures both large and small. Some of you helped me track down event results or other needed information. Some of you knew I would be coming to a game and made sure you saved a roster for me from the grips of overzealous, early-arriving fans. Some of you allowed me into your home or team practice to give me what I needed for a story I was working on. And so many of you were just willing to talk, both in pleasant chatter and in helpful insights that made me better able to do my job.
There are so many other things that have been done for me in the past 17 months, I’ll offer up one last blanket “Thank you,” for all the things that have slipped my mind. You will all be missed.