From My Heart to Your Homes, Thank You So Much.
When you chose me as Rhode Island Monthly’s Best Female TV Reporter last year in 2017, I called my parents immediately after seeing the envelope to share the news.
I confess: Happy tears were involved.
I don’t mean to dramatize my emotions from last year; I mean to say this year’s award is, and has been, so special to me. It is incredible and humbling.
I am honored to continue serving as a journalist, and I thank everyone who chose me as Rhode Island Monthly’s 2018 Best Female TV Reporter.
Over the years, I’ve sat with families through tragedies, but I’ve also sat in triumphant homes of people wishing to share their joys with southern New England. Each report, the good and the bad, deeply affects me in profound ways.
I have also been blessed to be invited into so many classrooms this year. Every student giving me the inspiration the next generation is special.
To some, maybe it’s not a big deal. But your vote means the world to me.
I learned about this year’s award in a funny way.
I walk into the NBC 10 studio and one of my favorite anchors, Dan Jaehnig, says, “Congratulations.” He stands up, shakes my hand. It’s odd.
I’m confused, because Dan and I joke around A LOT in the newsroom, and I think he’s making fun of me for the week-long birthday celebration, where I showed Dan a picture of me meeting Champ Kind from “Anchorman” the movie.
I couldn’t actually tell what deserved the “congratulations.”
Was it the selfie with Champ Kind or was it making it back to Rhode Island?
Dan tells me the news: They voted you Best Female TV Reporter again!
I think he’s joking — meaning, I’m HIS favorite TV reporter, maybe because I WASN’T chosen by voters.
So I say, “Don’t even joke about that.”
Our anchor, Patrice Wood, looks up — both their desks are near mine. And she teases Dan by scolding, “You’re not supposed to tell her yet.”
Patrice is the newsroom’s reliable source, and she looks serious.
So I go, “WAIT, what?!”
In uncomfortable heels, I begin running towards the newsroom mailbox. Reporters need to fact check, so off I go!
The envelope is really, really here!
I dash back into the newsroom.
It was a lot of, “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,” coming from me at my desk.
I want to thank everyone for giving me such a happy moment, and handing me yet another beautiful June birthday gift.
I’ve wanted to be a journalist since I was very young, and that mission came from the honest belief that for us to truly have an active democracy, people need to be informed and know the world around them.
How are taxpayer dollars being spent?
What can be done in the best interest of consumers?
And, what public safety issues are plaguing some communities?
The more we know, the more we can choose how to carry our legacy.
I wasn’t sure if over the past year my reporting made an impression on your hearts and in your homes. Truthfully, I didn’t have expectations once the voting polls opened and once they closed.
In the time of some serious hostility towards “the media” and some extreme cases of harassment from a few TV viewers directed towards myself and my other colleagues, your vote of confidence keeps me afloat.
Your vote gives me some light to lead into the months and years ahead.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to share your stories, hear your voices, and be invited to see your perspective.
My heart is full.
