Looking back on the past year, it’s been a wild ride.
From returning home from Spain to quarantining for ungodly amounts of time due to a national pandemic, this year has taught many life lessons – most of them being uncomfortable and unwanted – and brought many changes.
The many changes within my personal life include buying a house, getting a dog and having surgery on my throat, to name a few.
And now there are changes within my professional life.
I have accepted the News Editor position at the Claremore Daily Progress and will be starting there next week.
I feel like I have come a long way here at the Lincoln County News and have learned so much.
I’ve been able to cover so many cool stories like a noodlin competition, a 70-year love story and the citizens of Chandler walking together and standing in unity against racial tension.
So many evenings have been spent on the sidelines of some field or court throughout Lincoln County taking photos of football players, cheerleaders, baseball and softball players and basketball players.
The thought of leaving this county that I have learned so much about is scary. This place has become a comfort zone for me.
Growing up in a big metropolitan suburb, I was not accustomed to the love for football or the importance of shopping local.
Over the past year, I have learned more about football than I ever expected and have spent more time exploring small shops than my wallet has ever planned.
The thought of leaving my coworkers is even more daunting.
I would not be the journalist I am today without the support of my patient and uplifting coworkers Brian, Kindra, Ronnie, Mike and Marvin.
I am so grateful for the many days spent gathering news, designing pages and editing photos with these truly remarkable people.
I know the many lessons I have learned over the course of this past year will accompany me on my new journey in Claremore.
I just hope my new coworkers will be able to put up with my occasional complaints, personal stories and crappy jokes.