For the past 19 months, I have accepted the responsibility of being a sports reporter in a community that I truly love, support and have been involved in since my arrival in January 2022.

I have gotten a chance to cover some amazingly talented athletes and report on some big-time state events that I could remember dreaming about while I was working for the lottery in Georgia.

Due to some opportunities presented to me, I have decided that this was my last week with the Independent. I am blessed to have several options and have been thinking about what direction I am going to go in.

The relationships that I have made through the teams, administrations and the communities in and around Marshall have made this experience special for me.

Since my arrival, I’ve tried to evoke one phrase through my work: “You matter.” That’s because you truly do. The players, coaches, teachers, administration, staff, students and family members all matter to an equal degree. I have covered you all with love and passion in every event I’ve been a part of.

I have gotten a chance to cover some events I have never even seen in my life, from fishing tournaments and rodeos to volleyball matches and box car races. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of you at events and having discussions with you not only about sports but life in general.

I knew I would learn a lot from coming here and I have added to my arsenal of things I can do and truly have learned about how a community of small towns comes together being from a big city.

Some of my favorite moments have included the playoffs games and state tournament games being in a big arena rubbing shoulders next to some of the media I’ve seen on TV. Covering my first NBA game was also a magical experience as it was against the team I was very familiar with, the Atlanta Hawks.

I sincerely thank everyone at the Independent for allowing me to live out my dream and as I will decide what steps are next, it has been an amazing ride to wake up every day doing something that I love. I thank the community for reading my articles, supporting me and consistently coming up to me giving me praise for the job that I do. That absolutely means the world to me because it is all about you, the reader, the subscribers. I can’t do what I do without you and much appreciation goes towards you.

What an amazing ride this has been being the best storyteller I can be. Have a great fall season of sports to all of the surrounding communities. Who knows, you just might see me around.