Reflections on reporting on our community
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
People visit a makeshift memorial at The Covenant School in April. Photo: Seth Herald/Getty Images
Nate here.
I wanted to share some reflections on what it’s been like as both a reporter covering our community and as a dad.
With the exception of when they were newborn babies, which terrified me on a daily basis, I've loved every phase of my kids' lives more than the next.
Perhaps my favorite of all the ages has been 9 years old, which is my son Everett's age.
- Some people say Everett is my personality twin. His teachers, friends' parents and extended family members think of Everett as a polite, shy boy.
My wife and I know him as something different. He's loud and sarcastic and wonderfully weird. He pulls pranks on us, makes fun of my graying hair and answers questions in the affirmative by saying, "I like spaghetti."
We might ask him, "Everett, do you want to go to the pool today?"
- And he answers, "I like spaghetti."
- "Did you have fun at soccer practice?" "I like spaghetti,” he says.
- He sits for hours inventing new Pokémon and devising their stats. He builds obstacle courses for his leopard geckos, and as I write this, he's thumping a soccer ball off the wall downstairs. With the notable exceptions of his mom and his best buddies, Everett loves animals more than people.
In short, age 9 Everett is an amazing person. But it's against this backdrop of relishing the unique joy of watching him grow up that I covered The Covenant School massacre.
Three victims in that shooting were 9-year-olds: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney. Nashville is still a small town, and I was shocked to learn how many random connections I had to Covenant School staff and families, including the shooter's family.
- Covering the shooting brought some of the most difficult days for me as a reporter because I just couldn't wrap my brain around what those parents were going through. A few weeks after the shooting, I attended a media panel and Tennessee Lookout editor Holly McCall, a dear friend, asked me how I was doing.
- No one thinks to ask reporters that question. We are often treated like robots coldly churning out the news. I obviously appreciated the question and the concern. I should mention, Axios went above and beyond to support Adam and me, and our editors sent us a gift card for drinks at our favorite bar.
But, overall the answer is that I'm not doing great, particularly when I report on or think about the events at Covenant. As I wrap this up, Everett is singing a song about tacos and hopping around the living room.
- I have no wisdom or sage advice to offer, except to say I'm grateful to be a dad to Everett and his brother, and my heart will forever be broken for the Covenant community.
Thank you for reading and for supporting our local journalism.
This story first ran as an exclusive to Axios Nashville members. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member.