Column: Grateful, confident in The Forum’s future

Skye Pournazari The Maryville Forum

I have loved my time in Maryville. Having the opportunity to share your stories with The Forum’s readers and broader community has been one of the greatest joys of my two decades in journalism.

Everyone who has asked me what my career goals are knows that this position has been my ultimate goal since co-editing my high school yearbook in Holden in 2000. I never intended on leaving, but as the world changes, I had to make some difficult decisions. In January, I took a new position as the managing editor of the St. Joseph News-Press. I am looking forward to that work and will carry with me the excellent experiences and knowledge learned from so many here.

I am so very appreciative of everyone I have worked with during my time at The Forum.

I am grateful to Phil Cobb for trusting a young copy editor/designer to lead the newsroom nearly a decade ago and for his continued guidance today. I very quickly learned that the members of this community and those in surrounding towns strongly support each other and are working in every way they can to keep rural northwest Missouri alive and thriving. It has driven me to do the best I could for each and every one of the communities I have covered.

I am also grateful for Ken Garner, who, during his time as owner/publisher, poured himself into this paper. He made sure the editorial department had what it needed to succeed, investing in equipment, offering flexible scheduling and supporting us through complex and demanding reporting projects. I will never forget his trust in our newsroom to pursue strong, principled journalism.

I am thankful for newly named managing editor Jon Dykstra, whose capable and devoted hands have built a sports section defined by hard work, powerful photography and steadfast commitment to telling the stories that matter. His incredible scheduling skills and seemingly tireless drive to cover local sports at the highest level required no micromanaging of any kind. Because of that, our small team of journalists was able to lean into our strengths and produce the best newspaper possible each week. Jon will continue to serve this community with excellence in his new role — of that, I have no doubt.

And then there is Rita Piveral. What can I say about this incredible woman whose dedication and hard work nearly single-handedly keep the newspaper functioning? Without her knowledge and steady guidance as a central spoke in The Forum’s wheel, I don’t know how the operation would continue to make it down the road. Her work is present in every facet of the newspaper — from designing ads and pages, being the front desk clerk in charge of selling classifieds, handling obituaries and welcoming customers, to writing copy, managing the business and circulation aspects of the paper, and being the keeper of an incredible amount of local history. I am thankful she was there to help guide me in the direction of news stories that matter.

Looking ahead, having worked with incoming sports editor Anthony Crane, I know his passion for sports will help keep the sports pages vibrant and focused on the accomplishments of Nodaway County athletes. He will work hard to fill Jon’s shoes. Thankfully, he won’t have to do it entirely on his own. Jon will certainly be there to support him.

On the news side, I am excited to see Kathryn Rice join the staff. Her time at the Nodaway News Leader positions her well to step confidently into local coverage. Having sat alongside her at numerous boards of aldermen meetings and community events, I know firsthand that she will be focused on getting the facts necessary for communities to keep up with what is most important to their lives.

As for Geoffrey Woehlk, this community could not ask for a stronger journalist in the front seat as news editor. Having worked day in and day out with Geoffrey, I have witnessed firsthand the depth of his integrity and character. His focus is singular: to present the truth clearly and accurately, giving readers the facts they deserve. I have never worked with a finer writer. Whether reviewing a first draft or a fifth, he is relentless in refining his work until it is precise and fair. His principles simply do not allow less.

He is courageous in the face of power and has the wisdom to recognize fact from fiction. I do not know a stronger news editor, writer or advocate for honest journalism. The Forum is fortunate to have a journalist of his caliber and I am fortunate to have called him a colleague.

In reflecting on my nine years at The Forum, I did a bit of research. During that time, I wrote stories and took photographs, creating 9,300 published assets that were tracked in The Forum’s content management system — and that number does not include the many that never made it to print. Thank you for allowing me to climb your streetlight poles, stand on your chairs and walk your county courthouse roof in search of better angles. Thank you for trusting me to tell your stories.

I will miss everyone at The Forum and the many people I met while working in and around Nodaway County — yes, all you Rotarians, too. You welcomed me into your community, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Skye Pournazari is the former Managing Editor of the Maryville Forum.