When astronauts once dreamed of going to the moon, when they were children they undoubtedly looked up at sky and wondered if they would ever get there. In a similar way, I looked to NBC 4 in Washington and asked the same question. Always having an interest in news and media, always wanting to be in the know and on the scene in the Nation’s Capital, I always wanted to work for Channel 4. Beginning next week I will set foot on the moon.In my role of writing for the station’s website, NBCWashington.com, and working on the Assignment Desk for News 4, a dream of mine will become reality, furthering a burgeoning journalism career that began when I was still in high school. While I got my start in video and TV, many know I also was given the opportunity to become a news reporter at News & Messenger in Prince William, Virginia. I covered my hometown, and through my insight and experience was able to connect to stories in ways others couldn’t. Thankfully, someone at Channel 4 took notice and decided they wanted to me come work there.
When John F. Kennedy made his case to go to the moon, uttering the words “we choose to go to the moon in this decade, and do the other things not because they are easy but because they are hard...,” it set the tone that forced the space program within 10 years to break the bounds of earth for a journey to another world. My journey, thus far, has taken a decade. Through trials and tribulations, joyful gains and heart-breaking loss – some of which I brought on myself, and the others, like most, happened unexpectedly. But it was the tough moments and hard times that made me push on, to never let go of the dream and to never forget where I came from. I owe many for helping me along this journey still in transit. They are the ones I can’t forget when I finally arrive at my destination.
The rocket is now on the launch pad the countdown clock is ticking. I hope you will come along with me during my adventure at NBC 4. I’ll be working to bring you all the news alongside many of the same faces in the business that I have long admired. But as usual I’ll bring my own style and my own newsgathering tools, especially Twitter and Facebook, so you and we can keep the conversation going. This is one takeoff I sure don’t want to miss.
