Daniel Sparkman

I’ve now been on the job at WVUA for nearly two years and I know that I have come a long way in that time. I’ve continued to grow up as a person and as a journalist. I’ve had so many great experiences and learning opportunities. This year I thought I was ready to compete on a large scale and I entered the Emmys. This is something I really want and I will get one day, just not this year. The nominations came out and I didn’t make the cut, but neither did 8 other people in my category. I know I’ve never been closer to my dreams coming true than I am right now. Things seem to be coming together in my life. I mean, I know it will still be a few years before I can reach where I really want to be but I can see it off in the distance. I covered the Alabama State Legislature Wednesday and that, I think, was the first time that I really and truly felt like I had grown up and am now really a reporter. You know, I didn’t come to that realization on my own. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and covering the politics, it only reinforced my career goals. It wasn’t until this morning when I woke up and saw something my mom had posted on Facebook. She took a picture that I shared of me reporting outside the State House and basically said how proud she was of me and she realized that I had grown up. I don’t know why but I kind of always see myself as a teenager still…or at least still in my early twenties. It wasn’t until I saw that post this morning that I started to realize that I am one of those people that I’ve always watched on the news. I am a reporter and I didn’t realize it. I can’t believe that what I imagined as a 10 year old, making newscasts in the basement, has come true. I am so thankful to my family for making me the man I am today and to God for giving me the vast opportunities that he has and putting me exactly where I need to be, when I need to be there.  This is without a doubt one of the best times of my life because I can finally see the road to my dreams. I will one day be an Emmy award winning journalist, who has served as White House Correspondent, and has a beautiful wife and kids. I will die an old man knowing that dreams really do come true. I try to pass on to those coming up behind me that you must have a dream and you have to work your butt off but you will make it, if you have the desire. I am so thankful for everything I have, for the people in my life and the faith to know that everything is going to turn out just fine.

So blessed,

Daniel