I’ll admit, I had never heard of Warrensburg before November of 2023.
At the time, I was a 22-year-old graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, who, unlike my peers, had not found a job six months after graduation.
I remember searching and searching, applying to any job I could find or qualify for until I came across a listing for a news reporter position in Warrensburg, Missouri.
I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I've lived in Missouri for four years already. Why not apply and see if I can spend some more time there?’
After interviewing with editor Nicole Cooke, I got an email a week or two after that offering me the role. Next thing I knew, my bags were packed and I was off.
Driving into Warrensburg for the first time, I felt a sense of nervousness and excitement. Seeing my office space for the first time, I knew I had to prove myself and engulf myself in everything Warrensburg.
Luckily enough, my first assignment was not intimidating at all: Traveling to Whiteman Air Force Base to cover the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber’s 30th anniversary ceremony.
Once I came down from that height, the stories kept flowing and getting better.
My best story I was able to tell was the story of Jelly Roll honoring Holden’s Steven Keener last year and how much it meant to Keener’s mom, Salena Garten. Hearing and being able to tell that story was humbling and emotional for me.
My favorites of the bunch had to be when I attended and covered Burg Fest, Wings over Whiteman and the Missouri State Fair. Not only could you feel the excitement at each stop, but you could also feel the collective enjoyment and togetherness from every attendee. Combined with food, shows and news, there was always something neat to see.
More importantly, though, the Warrensburg people kept saying they enjoyed my presence and my writing. Hearing all the good words gave me a sense of belonging, and all of it came in a place I had never thought would ever happen.
Now, I know Warrensburg and hope I did my best to make it more known to others through my stories and relationships.
With all that in mind, my time at the Star-Journal has come to a close.
First, I want to thank Nicole Cooke for hiring me in the first place and giving me the opportunity to grow as a reporter and person. In the short time you were my editor, you taught me how to handle myself as a professional and showed me ways in which I could grow. I also want to thank Joe Andrews, who became my editor and a good friend throughout our time together at the paper. The sentiment also goes to everyone I’ve encountered at the Star-Journal and Sedalia Democrat, as everyone always seemed to have a smile on their face when I saw them and welcomed me without hesitation.
Secondly, I would like to thank the people of Warrensburg for accepting me and being able to put up with any and all of my inquiries. That goes towards Bruce Uhler, Steve Ritter, Jamie DeBacker, Suzanne Taylor, Monica Mitcheltree, Max Ridenhour, Mike Schrage, Kenneth Jennings, Andy Munsterman, Dana Phelps and plenty more. Each of you made my job easier, and I hope I was able to do your businesses, organizations and the city justice in my reporting.
While my next stop in my career is coming, I’ll never forget my time in Warrensburg and have the sticker on my laptop to prove it.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Warrensburg.
