Some personal news.

A personal note from the editor

Today’s story is a personal one.

Those of you who have known me for a while understand that these last couple of years have not been easy for me. A series of personal tragedies have changed my life in ways that I would never wish upon anyone.

And as a graduate of the unlucky Class of 2020, my post-high school plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the economic and social fallout it unleashed. While I spent that fall at home taking college classes online, I developed a new hobby: following electoral politics in Georgia.

But I never would have imagined in my wildest dream that this “hobby” would have resulted in local and cable news appearances, features in magazines, thousands of readers and social media followers, and close friendships with reporters and candidates. Some people have even told me that they turn to me for updates on Georgia politics.

The thought of this teenager who had just graduated from high school being a trusted source for information during such a critical time was incredibly surreal. All the while, like many Americans I was trying to navigate this “new normal” at home and make sure that I am submitting my schoolwork on time.

Admittedly, I spent much of that semester procrastinating and even outright skipping assignments because I was too distracted by social media and the craziness that was the 2020 election — decisions that I am paying for now. But a close friend continuously reminds me that politics can be exciting, but you only have one chance to get a degree and have fun in college.

With that being said, I know that many of you have been closely following my college transfer process and have been eagerly awaiting my decision.

It is with excitement (and a bit of nervousness) that I share with you all that starting in January, I will be studying political science full-time at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.

Like many life-changing decisions, this was far from an easy decision for me to make. Everybody and everything that I love is in Atlanta. But I feel that it is time for me to spend a few semesters away from home to get a better understanding of what it is that I want to do and to make new friends and relationships with like-minded people in a different part of this great state.

Make no mistake: Atlanta is and always will be my hometown. I was born and raised here and this is the only city that I have ever known to be home. I have experienced both the best and worst moments of my life here. I have made lifelong friends across the metro area, from Acworth to McDonough and from Douglasville to Lawrenceville. Heck, I literally have the letters “ATL” inked across my right forearm.

I would not be who I am without this city. So while I feel as though I am leaving a part of myself behind as I make this transition, I believe it is time for me to experience life in a different environment than the one that I grew up in. And there is no better time in my life to do so than in my early 20s.

I also want to be clear that this isn’t a goodbye. After all, the 2023 legislative session is coming up and the 2024 presidential campaign will be here before we know it. This newsletter and my social media activity might not be as frequent going forward, but it is not going anywhere. Many of you have my phone number, so please do not hesitate to call or text.

I will continue to closely follow and cover Georgia politics — I’ll just be doing so from a different part of the state. And who knows? I may pop up at the Gold Dome every now and then during the session to check on you guys.

Lastly, I have one message to all of you: Thank you.

Thank you all for putting your trust in me for updates and information on Georgia politics.

Thank you for believing in me at times when I didn’t really believe in myself.

Thank you for being great friends and loyal followers.

I will try my best to make you all proud in Statesboro. Trust me, I am just as excited as you all are to see what the future has in store for me.

In the words of President Barack Obama:

“The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.”