12/27/2023
LIFE UPDATE: This week not only marks the end of the year but the end of an era and remarkable dream come true.
After a lot of prayer, counsel and considering the past, present and future, I have decided to seek a new season of life outside of broadcast news.
As a kid, I witnessed the power of journalism during Hurricane Katrina. I saw how people used their cameras and compassion to help their neighbors, loved ones and strangers during their darkest hours. From there, I saw the best of humanity. A calling was awakened within me to want to tell the stories of The Helpers. All this occurred during the same week that our dad died of a heart attack. Suddenly, I was equipped with the ability to connect with people not only on their best day but their worst as well.
This passion and calling from God guided me through my years at Elon University, the Carolinas, Georgia and now 3 years in my wonderful hometown of Cincinnati.
In the 24-hour news cycle, it’s remarkable to stop and reflect on it all.
There are the big, life-altering stories: The hurricanes, pandemic, wars, presidential campaigns, Reds Opening Day, FC Cincinnati rise and Bengals playoff run/Super Bowl season.
There are also the stories that meant so much to me personally…esp. cheering on those with special needs, kids being leaders in their communities, nonprofits creating solutions, advocating for anti-human trafficking efforts, small business success stories and celebrating medical breakthroughs.
Journalists not only have a front-row seat of history but of trauma and triumph. At the heart of every story are people. It has been the honor of a lifetime to meet so many of you and have you invite us into your intimate mountaintop and valley moments of life.
Thank you.
Thank you to the wonderful newsroom teams who have welcomed, invested in and trusted me and my colleagues over the years. My WONDERFUL coworkers at WLWT are among the best of the best…and great friends too. For all the early morning viewers, know there is a dedicated team of journalists, meteorologists and crew that get up even earlier to keep you informed, safe and encouraged. You are in the BEST hands with our WLWT team. Working with them has been a dream come true.
Thank you to my family. Their dedication, sacrifice, support and love has been unwavering. For all the miles driven and flown, early morning wake-up to tune in and listening ears on the hard and great days…they’ve always been there for me…no matter what zip code I’ve called home.
Thank you, Mom, for letting me chase my childhood dream all the way back home. I love you.
I’ve learned and witnessed a lot in my few decades on earth thus far. Something I’ve learned is that life is full of different seasons. I’ve decided that I’m ready for a new season. I’ll be starting a new job and new life in January with a cool storytelling position right here in Cincinnati. More on that later.
My last day on the air will be on Friday. Thank you all for watching, encouraging and even singing along too! 🙂
Cheers to sharing a few more sunrises together.
God bless you.
Keep being great neighbors. Phil. 1:6.
