1. Tell us a little bit about yourself – Where are you from and how you got to be where you are today – 

I was born and raised in Sioux City, IA.  After graduating high school, I attended the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in Electronic Media with a minor in Journalism.  I interned at KWWL-TV, the local NBC affiliate, where I really developed my passion and love for the business.  Meeting deadline is the biggest adrenaline rush!  From my internship, I was hired as a reporter at KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls, SD.  I was very fortunate, because it was only an hour away from hometown, so I was able to see my family regularly.  Three months after starting at KDLT, I was promoted to morning anchor.  It was a great experience, but also very challenging.  In addition, I produced the show. And most mornings I had to run my own teleprompter with a foot pedal -- which I should add -- was broken on more than a few mornings. So it wasn’t unusual for the scripts to go zooming by! 

While working in South Dakota, I met my future husband.  He worked for one of the competing stations.  In August 2008, we got the exciting news that he was offered a full time anchor job in Tucson.  I decided to stay in Sioux Falls and job-hunt when he first moved down.  Three months later, we were both miserable without each other so I took the biggest risk of my life.  I moved down to Tucson without a job, even though I thought I had some solid leads.  I think I was naïve about how hard it would be to get back into the field and how I thought love would always be enough.  But the truth is, I missed television news more than I thought possible, and it affected my happiness. I met with news directors, applied for openings, and finally, a year and half later in February 2010, Kathleen Choal and Cathie Batbie hired me as a part-time multi-media journalist at KVOA.  I have never been so grateful for an opportunity, even more than my first job out of college. In December 2010 I was promoted to Weekend Anchor, and aside from my wedding day, it was one of the happiest days of my life.  I feel like my dreams are coming true and I am so happy to be where I am today. 

2. How did it feel to find out you won Tucson’s Best 2011 Weekend News Anchor?
It was great! I co-anchor with John Overall, and he’s truly the best. But it’s nice to have bragging rights. 

3. What does your profession mean to you?
I love meeting new people, understanding different perspectives on life, and constantly learning.  I see people at their best and worst.  I love being able to tell the story, especially stories that are inspiring.