So long and thanks for the memories, Eva McKend

It was a cold January day in 2015 when Eva McKend jumped into work at WCAX News. No cold feet here and she quickly warmed up to Vermont. In fact, fell in love with the state.

She often uses the hashtag #lovermont in her social media posts. After all, it's place she did a lot of firsts. Like her first snowmobile ride, her first time snowshoeing, first time cutting a Vermont Christmas tree and her first time riding an ox at the fair!

She got some indoor time, too, with more firsts, like plasma cutting at Randolph Technical Career Center.

And Eva definitely met a lot of friends along the way here, even some that fly. A butterfly fell in love with her at the North Branch Nature Center and landed on her nose.

Eva flew, too. She went up in a helicopter to see aerial seeding of farmers' fields.

Vermont gave a lot to Eva but Eva gave so much to Vermont, too. She got answers from leaders like Sens. Leahy and Sanders, never afraid to ask a question. And she interviewed a lot of people, from former Vice President Joe Biden to the Daily Show's Roy Wood Jr.

Eva shined at the interview set. And we're not just talking about her fabulous shoes. Her curiosity, intelligence and gift to get answers also led her to tackle issues facing Vermont. Like when she looked at the opioid epidemic and chronic pain sufferers struggling with new opiate regulations, or allegations of racial profiling during traffic stops. Her stories opened eyes and minds.

And her contributions to the community opened hearts. Eva's list of volunteering is a long one. She emceed countless events, started a women's networking event in Vermont, called Just Us Girls. She marched in pride parades.

She showed her love of Vermont. Perhaps that's one of the reasons she was named one of the state's rising stars. So, as you leave us, Eva, we hope you continue to shoot for the stars.