Farewell, Our Hero

Some people leave a lasting mark even when they leave us too soon. You don’t forget them—you can’t. Our Hero was one of those rare souls. She was there at the beginning, walking beside me during our first steps in this business—she in police reporting, and I in news. Countless hours together from morning to night, proving our worth through hard work, pain, and sacrifice. While she was far from her loved ones, I was lucky to have mine close by. Strong, fearless, witty, and driven by an insatiable passion for journalism, she had a gift few possess—the ability to speak non-stop about a story and keep you glued to the radio, later mesmerized on television. She would sit crouched under a desk to get a phone connection, listen to police scanners, and run toward breaking news. That’s who she was—a true reporter. Her courage took her all the way to Kyiv. She feared nothing and no one. Our Hero never hesitated to help someone in need. She was bold, energetic, passionate, and unafraid to challenge even the most seasoned among us. I remember during tough times at SKAI in the ’90s, when a colleague had to leave for an assignment abroad—tragically, we lost him early too—and we had no money to spare. She started collecting funds so he could travel, and when he needed to leave immediately, she and another colleague took off their sweaters to give him something to wear. Different times. We were young, we grew up together, went our separate ways, but always cared deeply. I regret not making time for that coffee we promised each other the last time we spoke. Now the moment is gone forever—with our girl.