ON MY SOAPBOX
This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is not the opinion of the Taylor Press.
Editor’s note:
Hennington is leaving the news business for an equally important job — working as a high school teacher.
Last week, I cleared all my collectibles, books, championship rings and knick-knacks off my office shelves at the Taylor Press. I emptied my desk drawer – to the best of my ability – and finally, I turned in my keys to the building.
It was bittersweet because it marked the end of an era at the newspaper.
When I started in 2013, I didn’t know what to expect. Eleven and half years later, I understand that I walked into a staple of the community.
What I will remember about the Press is the long-lasting relationships and friendships that I made. I will remember how I was a part of history when the newspaper went from daily to twice a week, and then from two printed editions to one printed and one e-edition.
Along with changes in distribution, I was at the paper during some major and traumatic times. Not many people can say they helped navigate a publication through a global pandemic or they reported on the biggest economic development deal in the history of Texas.
I can say I’ve done both.
I watched a group of athletes – the O.L. Price state championship football team – finally get their recognition after more than 50 years.
Since my time at the Press, I have been blessed to get a front row seat to everything from meeting television host Carolyn Jackson at her red-carpet event in downtown Taylor to watching Fred Kerley go from high school star athlete to winning multiple Olympic medals.
I’ve also covered homicides and other crimes, court cases and deaths in the community. Some of the people I had to write about I personally knew.
During this era, we created “Around the Watercooler” and the Taylor Press 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, which have become mainstays and something that people look forward to weekly and annually, respectively.
All of this has helped me grow, not just as a reporter, but as a person. Every day I feel like I learned something new that would help me on my journey through life. There has always been merit in the Taylor Press and after more than a decade, I hope that value has increased.
I hope my time at the Press has been valued by the community, and most importantly, the readers. Nobody gets into journalism for the money (if you don’t believe me, ask around), we get into it for the passion of being the eyes and ears of our audience. We’re drawn to report the news, capture precious moments, record history and hold elected officials accountable.
When I started at the Press, I had several goals, which I carried until my final day at the Press. My first was to serve my community and make it proud of a local son. I worked hard to be accessible, yet fair in my reporting.
Another goal was to make the newspaper approachable. I wanted to make sure everyone felt they could bring their news to the paper without fear of rejection. Specifically, I wanted the African American community in Taylor to know they had someone they could trust and be open with. Although I’m leaving the paper, that trust should continue with the reporters in place.
My final objective was to make sure I left a legacy that would inspire others. Not to get a pat on the back or to be vain, but I wanted to ensure that when my time at the Press was over, people would say, “Well done. Your impact on the community will be remembered for a long time.”
So, for the last time, I am going to get off my soapbox, pack it up and take it with me – I’ve just always wanted to say that – but before I do, I want to add, “Thank you.”
Thank you for the support, the encouragement, the feedback, the patience and most importantly, the opportunity to serve the community where I was born and raised.
“I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves era to era.”
— Michael Jordan
