ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP - IT CHANGED MY LIFE

I moved here without a job and started knocking on doors.  Less than a month later, I was hired as an anchor/reporter at 9 News.  The minute I walked into the station, I knew it was the place for me.  The people were so welcoming.  And, the station’s top notch reputation was also very appealing.  Good vibes all the way.

I decided I wanted to be a reporter when I was in high school.  And it was no wonder why!  I was nosy, was always wanting to know how things worked, and I loved to talk.  One of my friends called me “motor mouth”. 

Since pursuing my dream, I’ve covered more than a dozen named storms and hurricanes, covered the aftermath of “Katrina” in New Orleans, and witnessed two executions in Texas.  I won some awards along the way, but the greatest satisfaction has come from exploring communities and telling stories about some of the most interesting people in the world.  I ‘m looking forward to doing that in Denver.

And for your entertainment: Two of the funniest things that have happened to me?  I met the late Tejano Singer “Selena” during a defensive driving class.  And while sneaking down a hallway to go to a restroom in Rome, I met the late Mother Teresa -  and even shook her hand.  I also have a very funny nickname, that people in my hometown still call me today.  I’ll leave that story for another day.