Really, this is all Abby’s fault.
I met my friend Abby Bollenbacher as we both attended Bowling Green State University. We traveled in the same social circles (both being theater geeks to some extent) but never really connected until one day, when she saw me in a funk and asked what was wrong. I was in the darkest days of my depression. She offered to be an ear if I needed it. I took her up on that offer, and have been forever grateful that I did.
I often say that Abby saved my life, and I mean it. When I was at my lowest point, she took my hand and pulled me (often kicking and screaming) toward the light. I don’t know how lucky I was to find a friend like her, but I have never forgotten what she did for me, and never will.
Beyond being a loyal and wonderful pal, Abby is one of the most ridiculously talented people I’ve ever met. She competed multiple times in the Miss Ohio pageant. She is an incredible singer, actress and model, to boot. When she was named the second “Face of Fox Toledo,” a spokesperson for the station, I was thrilled — but not surprised.
What did surprise me was a year later, when Abby began encouraging me to try out to be the new Face of Fox once her reign ended. Honestly, I assumed I wouldn’t have a chance in hell. An on-camera spokesperson is usually attractive, at-ease, comfortable in their own skin — attributes that I clearly lack. But as she had before, Abby saw something that I didn’t, and all but dragged me to my first audition.
Little did either one of us know the door this effort would open for me.
My first attempt at becoming the Face of Fox could be termed a dignified failure. I made it past the first round of auditions (which stunned me) into on-camera testing, at which point I was eliminated. But the bug had bit, and bolstered by the fact that I had gotten further than I ever expected, I resolved to try again the following year.
As I walked into the first round of auditions the next summer, I had no clue that I was about to make the most important career connection of my life. I went through my prepared monologue and chatted with the judges — one of which happened to be Michael Miller, the Editor-in-Chief of the Toledo Free Press. As he watched me audition, answer questions and mention that I had a degree in Journalism, an idea apparently took root.
Bolstered by support from tons of my friends (whose love I cannot possibly repay), I made it all the way to the final round that year. After I got the call from the Fox producers that I hadn’t gotten the job, I will admit to being crestfallen at first. But then, they told me that Michael wanted to get in touch with me. Soon after, I found myself sitting in Mr. Miller’s office at the Free Press, surrounded by his collection of comic and Star Wars memorabilia. Michael told me his idea — coming on board at the paper to write a weekly pop culture column.
I thought, “I’m home.”
Five years and several hundred writings later, my life is in an amazing place — better than I could have dreamt before. I’ve gotten to interview the famous and the fascinating. I’ve become a regular cast member for multiple shows on local radio. I’ve won awards. I got to write short stories that were published in print. I’ve gotten to converse with heroes. Roger Ebert — a lifelong hero — wrote to tell me he liked my work. It’s simply too much for me to believe sometimes.
I try to do my best to show gratitude toward everyone who I owe a debt. To Michael, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for believing in me and giving me the chance to grow into, well, whatever it is I’ve become. To Sarah Ottney, thank you for continuing to give me a forum, and providing steady, assured leadership. To Tom Pounds for being the engine that keeps this train running. To my friends and family for giving me support and guidance when I needed it.
To everyone at 92.5 and WSPD, for offering me time on your airwaves to grow as a broadcast personality. To all my fellow writers, who humble me with the chance to have my work run alongside theirs. To Jim Beard, who gave me the chance to stretch into writing fiction. To every reader who has ever given any of my pieces a glance — I am honored to have the chance to chat with you.
And, of course, to Abby, who kicked the domino that started all this in the first place. I can never thank you enough for having confidence in me when I had none in myself.
Cheers to the Free Press for the first ten years. Looking forward to the next ten — and beyond.
