I’ve made the decision, due to family reasons, to move back to Texas.
I came to Iola a year ago with the intention of staying a few years and eventually make my way back to my home state. The decision to leave earlier wasn’t easy. I grew to love the small-town life.
People knew me around town by two descriptions — the girl from the paper or the girl who walked her dog on the square.
Two distinguishing features I could definitely live with.
My dog and I were welcomed with open arms and the opportunity I was given at The Iola Register is one that I couldn’t replicate if I wanted to.
I was assigned my first story on my very first day on the job. I had to interview 4-H kids participating in the cooking project. I had this idea that now I was a young professional and nothing could stop me.
I showed up at the Yoho residence to interview Shelby who was making delicious apple biscuits. I walk into the kitchen and this articulate young girl not only knows her way around the kitchen better than I do, but to my humiliation, I had to borrow a pencil because I lost mine on the car ride over.
Talking to the kids quickly became my favorite part of my job.
I started covering SAFE BASE activities where I would have 20-plus kids wanting to talk to me — it was intimidating. At the end of my year here in Iola, I have mastered the art of listening to multiple kids at once and responding accordingly — a skill I know will come in handy when I have children of my own some day.
I learned a lot during my time in Iola. I sharpened my skills as a reporter because I had a team behind me that took the time to teach me and help me grow.
I learned that there are still good people in the world. There are people who will lend a helping hand without letting out one complaint.
There are people who will invite you to their home for an intimate dinner with their family because they knew mine was two states over — which I know my own family couldn’t be more grateful for.
I learned there are people who will dedicate every day and night to fundraising for a cause they believe in and that a whole town will come together to give money to schools so students can go to Washington D.C. for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
In a small town your business is never private, but there is something to be said about that. People knew who I was and always looked out for me.
A lot of young people, once out of college, go straight for the big city, and while that might look glamorous from the outside I say give the small town a chance — because it will give you a chance.
I couldn’t begin to say thank you to everyone here in not only Iola but also all of Allen County.
I don’t know when my life will bring me back to this part of the country, but I know that when I look back on the year I was here I will have nothing but fond memories.
Leaving with fond memories
