Farewell, Oakton

Since Oakton Patch's launch Sept. 27, 2010, my name has stood at the top of the page as the site's local editor. With much gratitude to Patch for teaching me so much about the industry, I will be pursuing my career in online community journalism elsewhere.

My time with Patch and Oakton has been incredible. I've learned so much about journalism and its importance in communities often ignored. Taking on the Oakton Patch site seemed daunting: It's an unincorporated town in which many of its residents have been forced to attach themselves to the clubs and organizations in surrounding towns.

But I slowly discovered the wonderful ways Oakton residents have found to come together with their neighbors: the Vale Club, the Oakton Library, the Oakton Women's Club and the Moms of Oakton, to name a few of the groups that help provide Oakton with an identity. 

Schools also proved to be a natural gathering place. Covering Oakton High School and Flint Hill School sports has not only been one of the most popular sections of the site but also a whole new world of journalism for me. I cannot thank the sports parents, players and coaches enough for their enthusiasm for the coverage. 

I also want to take time to thank all the writers and photographers who have helped to fill this site with quality content. Two in particular have been with Oakton Patch since the beginning: Kathleen Canedo, the writer at the helm of At Home with Brutalism, and Michael Noone, the photographer who has shot more than his fair share of sports games and championships. Readers should be happy to know both will continue to work for the site.

My supervisor, Erica Hendry, will temporarily take over the site until a more permanent plan is established. You likely know her as the former local editor of Vienna Patch, which she launched in October 2010. You can reach her at Erica.Hendry@patch.com. 

For anyone who has requests or questions for me about past coverage or Patch, feel free to email me before Wednesday at Nicole.Trifone@patch.com. 

Thanks to everyone who has read this site over the past two years. I will always have fond memories of Oakton and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to spend so much time with this town.