It is human nature to reflect on an experience just as it's coming to an end.
For me, that time is now. With my tenure as The News Review sports reporter now over, I am only starting to digest all that I have seen and reported on in the past seven months.
To be sure, this has been an experience that I will carry with me forever.
I arrived here in early March as an eager, slightly apprehensive, Calgarian immersed in a sea of Roughrider green.
For the Stampeder fan in me, an allegiance I have tried to keep close to the vest, it was intimidating.
For the aspiring sports reporter, it was an opportunity.
Arriving in the middle of the Terriers miracle playoff run allowed me to throw myself in to the city's sporting culture right away.
It was within that first couple of weeks that I developed an appreciation for the role that sports plays in this town. It also made me realize that I had a role to play too.
In every place that I have visited or lived, I have tried to learn one fundamental lesson or principle that remains with me once I've moved on.
For my Yorkton experience, this realization came quickly.
In the midst of my early fretting about photo quality and the clarity of my writing, I came to understand that reporting is all about one specific thing.
The people.
You can be as academically acute and highly trained as you want, but until you get to know the people, you don't fully know the job.
Fortunately, I was lucky.
Being surrounded by a supportive cast of coaches and fellow media, I was able to get my bearings and gain confidence.
If it weren't for the coaches, teachers and players that I have encountered along this journey, I would have been lost.
This job has taught me a lot about reporting from a technical aspect and a practical one. But most importantly, I know now that it is all about the people.
Therefore, I humbly thank everyone who has shared this time with me and helped me to this point. Without your support I could not have done it.
As I move back to Calgary, I will be sure to keep Yorkton in my thoughts and share stories of this place with fond memories.
This city has given me a lot and I hope that you have enjoyed my writing as much as I've enjoyed doing it.
Ahead of the pivotal Stampeders/Roughriders clash this weekend, I anticipate that I will be asked about my experiences in Saskatchewan while watching the game.
I will answer those questions with stories and memories of good times had.
Just don't expect me to wear green.
