Every story has its ending. But this is not the end of a story; it’s merely the end of a chapter — specifically, my chapter with Sky-Hi News.
While I’m heading off to a new opportunity — as digital engagement editor at our company’s daily newspaper, the Steamboat Pilot & Today, in Steamboat Springs — that will advance my career as a journalist, I’ll certainly miss this paper and the communities it serves.
When I started as editor a little more than two years ago, I was nervous. I didn’t know how the community would embrace me. Would I be viewed forever as an outsider? Or, would I become one of Grand County’s own? Fortunately, it was the latter.
The people I’ve met, the stories I’ve covered, the talented journalists whose skills I got to help develop — the experience living and working in Grand County has been one that I will forever appreciate.
I took a publication that had been around for more than 100 years and, along with the hard work and dedication of the incredible people in this office, strengthened its reputation as something the community wanted to read, that people revered and trusted. Countless people over the years complimented me on the success my staff and I worked so hard to achieve. The many accolades we’ve won that adorn the walls of the Sky-Hi office served as further motivation to keep striving for the best community journalism possible.
It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it to keep the community informed and engaged.
Now, I leave Sky-Hi News on such a positive note.
We’re at the height of our readership, we’ve tackled the hard subjects people usually shy away from and the community ties our office has worked tirelessly to build are stronger than ever. That will truly be my legacy as Sky-Hi’s editor — not only am I proud of the work we’ve done as a team, in print and online, I’m equally proud of the things we’ve done for the community. And I’m so exceedingly proud of my two talented reporters, Lance and McKenna, who will continue to report the news and engage this community while upholding the strongest commitment to quality journalism that we’ve worked to cultivate.
Grand County is an industrious community with so many people who are willing to step up and do what’s right, not what’s easiest. The fortitude of this community is something to cherish, not only by the people that live and work here, but also those well beyond its borders.
Overall my hope is that our readers and the community will show the next editor of Sky-Hi the same acceptance and welcome that I received, though I only envision a bright future for this publication and our communities.
So, while I’ve written the end of this chapter, I believe the next Sky-Hi leader will write another new, positive chapter for the sake of the success we’ve achieved as being the community’s premier source for local news.
Bryce Martin, editor of Sky-Hi News, can be reached at bmartin@skyhinews.com. His last day with Sky-Hi is June 21.