Anyone who has worked in the news business will tell you it takes a special personality to be the so-called "Face of the Station."
That person is not merely someone who is great on camera, but connects with the audience through the lens, as if they are excited to be in the living room of each viewer.
The person is not just someone who works to put together a successful newscast, but intimately involves themselves in how each story is told and how it may be interpreted by the audience.
The person is not only someone who is seen in the community for the sake of being seen, but serves the community out of a genuine love and concern for their neighbors.
All of these things describe Tashara Parker.
In a station filled with wide-eyed young people where many getting their first taste of the news business, she serves as the ideal mentor. She is hard and demanding, but on the other side of the coin, she is encouraging and sympathetic. Whether it's the talent you see each day on CBS19 or those you don't, she is idolized by each of us, regardless of position.
One reason for this is her authenticity. I've worked with Tashara closely for more than a year now, and I can truly say, she is exactly the same person she presents herself on your television screen. What you may not be able to see is her genuine concern for the people of East Texas. Her heartbreak, sometimes to tears, when reporting on a tragedy. Her elation when East Texas celebrates a success.
Our general manager challenges each of us, when we start at CBS19, to leave East Texas better than when we started here. She wants us to play a part in that transformation. While there are a number of people here who have, no doubt, accomplished that goal, no one has done a better job at going beyond that challenge than Tashara. She is more than our evening and night host and vocal leader. She is a servant to East Texas, who we have all been fortunate to have.
In truth, I could fill page after page with stories that exemplify the qualities she has that make saying goodbye so hard. However, there is nothing that I can write that can truly do justice for her contributions here at CBS19 and throughout East Texas.
So let me say this for all us:
Tashara, for the smiles your brought, for the lives you touched, for the dreams you inspired and for the love your spread, we thank you.
Do not worry East Texas. Tashara won't be going far away. She is moving to Dallas to work at our sister station, WFAA. She will also return to East Texas periodically for special projects and continue to her work in the community.
You can also see her Monday night at North Star Missionary Baptist Church as the East Texas Community celebrates Tashara!
