MAINE, Maine — When I was 13 years old, I made a significant life decision: I wanted to be a broadcast journalist when I grew up. (For context, I come from a family of musicians; as much as I love singing and songwriting, my teenage mind thought a job with benefits might be a little more doable).
I sat at a "news desk" for the first time at Brunswick High School in front of a makeshift green screen, reading the morning announcements off of a shaky teleprompter. I'm embarrassed to say those videos may still live somewhere in the depths of the Internet. If so, please just remember—that was almost 10 years ago now.
In college, as a broadcast journalism major and a photography minor, I took every opportunity I could get to use a camera and a microphone to interview people. Being in the honors program also helped to open my perspective of the world and gave me an appreciation for the impact that journalism can have. From the very beginning of all of this, I have loved the idea that my work can give a voice to the voiceless. That is something I have always tried—and still try—to do.
Beloved local anchor Lee Goldberg and then-digital manager Jeff Schools took a chance on me for the station's internship program in the summer of 2017, and I started working at NEWS CENTER Maine full-time in January of 2019.
From digital content producer to multi-skilled journalist in Bangor and then Portland to weekend morning anchor—the past five years have been a whirlwind of a ride. Most days, I pitch, shoot, write, and edit stories that I hope will be impactful to Mainers in some way. It's not an easy job, but my colleagues and I do important, truth-telling work.
As you many know by now, if you tuned into the show on Sunday morning or scrolled through social media: Feb. 25 is my last day at the station. This is a decision I definitely did not arrive at easily; in fact, it's probably one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make.
My time at NEWS CENTER Maine has brought me lifelong friendships, an amazing boyfriend, and an entourage of supportive viewers. I look back at some of my first live-shots and stories out of the Bangor newsroom and find it hard not to cringe (or at least to laugh). It means the world to me that many of the people watching were patient and allowed me to grow into who I am today.
As a reporter, I've been lucky enough to cover everything from the hard, breaking news of the day to feature stories that warm my heart and make me feel a little bit better about the world we live in (I like to joke that my "beat" is animals and children). I also have so enjoyed the days I've spent in various Maine communities, learning about a local issue and trying to find ways to boil it all down fairly into a one-minute, 30-second story (admittedly, I've been known to run a little bit over at times—sorry producers!)
I feel very fortunate that I've been able to gain the trust of Mainers. You all have spoken to me in some of your worst days—and in some of your best. That is such a compliment, and it's a privilege that I have not taken lightly.
Above all, though, my passion has always been longer-form storytelling. From local contractor investigations to an in-depth look at guns and suicides, or the plight of asylum seekers to taking a tour of the volunteer hospice program at the Maine State Prison—these are the pieces that have ignited me and given me a greater sense of purpose. Even when I was 13 years old and decided this was the career path I wanted to pursue, I had always hoped it would involve a longer format. I'm leaving NEWS CENTER Maine, so I can try to chase that dream—wherever it might lead me.
Here's the thing: The best part about this change is that I doubt it will be permanent. Maine has a funny way of calling you home. I experienced that when I moved to Boston for college and started to miss the fresh Pine Tree State air and the sound of the ocean and quiet backroads winding over rolling hills. In that sense, this isn't a "goodbye;" it's more of a "see you later."
For now, all I can say is THANK YOU. I'm excited to turn off the 2 a.m. alarms, spend more quality time with my family, and figure out the next chapter. Please just know how much these past five years have meant—and always will mean—to me.
-Chloe
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