Goodbyes aren’t easy—first, you are forced to say goodbye to people that have influenced your life in some way and second, once the goodbye is said, you have to accept the fact that many goodbyes will follow suit. While I much prefer hellos to goodbyes, I’d like to take the time to say goodbye, or as I prefer to say “see you later,” to Pearl River County and all the people in this community that have made the past year wonderful for me.
However, instead of writing an emotional column about how I’m going to miss everyone, which I am, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank those individuals who have made this experience one I will always remember.
I’ll be leaving this position on Friday in order to move closer to my family in Florida and pursue a career opportunity.
I started working at the Picayune Item in December 2014 months after graduating from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. A recent grad, with not much experience under my belt, the staff at the Picayune Item welcomed me with open arms and taught me valuable lessons in life and work, which I will always hold dear to my heart.
At this moment, I’d like to thank Jeremy Pittari and Linda Gilmore for taking a chance on a college grad from Florida and I’d like to thank the entire staff for providing me with a home away from home. To my fellow reporter, Cassandra Favre, my “Mississippi Mom,” I’d like to thank you for your friendship and for always looking out for me.
I’d like to say thank you to all the people who have helped me on a regular basis by sharing news tips, taking time out of your busy schedules to talk to me and making me feel like part of the community.
Thank you to all the city and county officials, including Mayor Ed Pinero, City Manager Jim Luke and the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors. Thank you to the officers of the Picayune Police Department and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, including Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri, Chief Bryan Dawsey, Sheriff David Allison and Chief Deputy Shane Tucker; and all the educators involved with the school districts.
I’d also like to thank all the individuals who’ve let me take their pictures randomly for our good morning and get to know sections. And, those people who’ve opened their doors and shared their stories with me. While I’ll be miles away, I’ll never forget about this place or the people I’ve met.
But again, this is not a goodbye; it’s see you later.