Lara Moritz: More than a Face
The majority of people in the world do not wake up every day and know they will go live on television with thousands of people watching. Lara Moritz is not like the majority of people. Moritz is an evening news anchor for KMBC 9 News, a Kansas City television station. However, she is just not a pretty face on a screen. Moritz’s career as a news anchor has been a long journey and has led to various challenges; however, she has been able to balance her personal life and her passions with her demanding career.
Moritz had to work hard and stay focused during her long journey of becoming an anchor on a major news network. Her expedition began when she attended Knox College in Illinois to study English. Moritz did not know she wanted to get into journalism until around her junior year. After graduating from Knox, Moritz went to the University of Kansas where she earned her Master’s Degree in Journalism. However, her education did not come easy. Moritz described herself as not a natural learner: “I think everybody has those moments where they think, ‘Forget it--this is so hard.’ Not in high school, not in college, not in graduate school was I a very good student.” She believes that it was all worth it in the end. Moritz stated, “If you get an education, you can do anything.” After graduate school, Moritz realized she loved interviewing people and being in the field. She was often asked to fill-in as an anchor. After she gained experience, she was offered a job doing morning news. Moritz then slowly worked her way up to eventually be an anchor of the KMBC 9 evening news. However, she soon realized the challenges of her new position.
There are many challenges Moritz faces as a major news anchor. One of those challenges would be having to deal with harsh criticism. Moritz states that she had to develop thick skin and always remember who she was as a person. She believes that she chose a career in broadcasting, so it is her job to put herself out there every night. Another challenge that Moritz faces is to always stay objective in her reporting. She believes that staying neutral comes with maturity: “I had to grow up a lot as a reporter and as a woman.” One challenge Moritz faces that quite a few of anchors don’t is being a woman. Moritz declared that as a woman she had to be strong and always be looking for opportunity. Moritz revealed that at times she had to fight for the big stories until she proved herself. Lastly, Moritz believes her biggest challenge is keeping her personal feelings apart from the news. Moritz knows she that she is just a human and feels emotion like any other person. She takes interviewing people and their stories seriously and personally. Moritz states, “I always feel like if someone allows me to interview them, then forever more, I have a responsibility to that person or family.” She makes an effort to stay in touch with those individuals. Although, Moritz faces various challenges, she still manages to make time for herself.
Even with her overwhelming job, Moritz still is able to live a full life. Moritz has to balance her full-time job and being a mother of two children. Initially, Moritz didn’t know where was the best place for her kids to grow up, but she eventually found the perfect home. Moritz said that “I had to make the decision to raise my kids in Kansas City.” Moritz also has her own personal hobbies. She loves to read books and workout. Also, Moritz is a huge animal advocate. She helps any shelter that contacts her and owns a dog herself. Moritz stated that another hobby she loves is traveling: “I love to travel and camp. I love to see the country through the car.” Additionally, Moritz has a taste in fashion, and usually gets to pick her own clothing she wears on air. However, Moritz being able to pick her own clothing is not the only thing she enjoys about her unique career.
Moritz has had a noteworthy career in broadcast journalism and loves what she does. She has reported on various topics and interviewed people from all types of backgrounds. Moritz first story was about a midnight basketball program that got kids off the streets. Slowly, from that story on she gained experience and moved on to bigger events. One of the highlights of her career was interviewing President Barack Obama, which she described as exhilarating and an honor. Moritz stated that her first time she went live she was very nervous, but she now doesn’t get the butterflies. Moritz also expressed that she loves her career: “I have so much passion for this career that it gets me in trouble.” Lastly, Moritz professed that one thing she loved was her co workers. She talked about how they have been through so much, and they have developed a strong bond. Moritz said, “We have each other’s back.” Another aspect she loves is getting to impact a few parts of her job.
Moritz being a news anchor allows her to have a little influence over her work. Moritz is usually given a script. However, periodically when Moritz is on the air and breaking news comes in, she has to speak on the spot. Moritz stated that “We never get through a newscast with just our script.” Moritz has other guidance in her job such as being on call at all times, having a long and demanding work schedule, and having to follow a dress code. Although, one feature she has control over is her goals when reporting a story. Moritz revealed that she wants her viewers to connect and be inspired. She explained, “I want you (the viewer) to go through a range of emotions.” She wants to go through a newscast with her audience, together.
Lara Moritz’s career in broadcast journalism has been a extensive expedition and has caused various adversity; however, she has been able to juggle her private life and her passions with her taxing career. Moritz is not just a woman who reports the news. She has a job that requires skills that the majority of people do not have. Moritz is a woman that connects the people of Kansas City and allows her community watching to feel involved with her. Almost every day Moritz has to go live on KMBC 9 News with her goal to inspire others.
Works Cited
Ward, Kaili et al. “Lara Moritz .” 26 Oct. 2016.
Moritz had to work hard and stay focused during her long journey of becoming an anchor on a major news network. Her expedition began when she attended Knox College in Illinois to study English. Moritz did not know she wanted to get into journalism until around her junior year. After graduating from Knox, Moritz went to the University of Kansas where she earned her Master’s Degree in Journalism. However, her education did not come easy. Moritz described herself as not a natural learner: “I think everybody has those moments where they think, ‘Forget it--this is so hard.’ Not in high school, not in college, not in graduate school was I a very good student.” She believes that it was all worth it in the end. Moritz stated, “If you get an education, you can do anything.” After graduate school, Moritz realized she loved interviewing people and being in the field. She was often asked to fill-in as an anchor. After she gained experience, she was offered a job doing morning news. Moritz then slowly worked her way up to eventually be an anchor of the KMBC 9 evening news. However, she soon realized the challenges of her new position.
There are many challenges Moritz faces as a major news anchor. One of those challenges would be having to deal with harsh criticism. Moritz states that she had to develop thick skin and always remember who she was as a person. She believes that she chose a career in broadcasting, so it is her job to put herself out there every night. Another challenge that Moritz faces is to always stay objective in her reporting. She believes that staying neutral comes with maturity: “I had to grow up a lot as a reporter and as a woman.” One challenge Moritz faces that quite a few of anchors don’t is being a woman. Moritz declared that as a woman she had to be strong and always be looking for opportunity. Moritz revealed that at times she had to fight for the big stories until she proved herself. Lastly, Moritz believes her biggest challenge is keeping her personal feelings apart from the news. Moritz knows she that she is just a human and feels emotion like any other person. She takes interviewing people and their stories seriously and personally. Moritz states, “I always feel like if someone allows me to interview them, then forever more, I have a responsibility to that person or family.” She makes an effort to stay in touch with those individuals. Although, Moritz faces various challenges, she still manages to make time for herself.
Even with her overwhelming job, Moritz still is able to live a full life. Moritz has to balance her full-time job and being a mother of two children. Initially, Moritz didn’t know where was the best place for her kids to grow up, but she eventually found the perfect home. Moritz said that “I had to make the decision to raise my kids in Kansas City.” Moritz also has her own personal hobbies. She loves to read books and workout. Also, Moritz is a huge animal advocate. She helps any shelter that contacts her and owns a dog herself. Moritz stated that another hobby she loves is traveling: “I love to travel and camp. I love to see the country through the car.” Additionally, Moritz has a taste in fashion, and usually gets to pick her own clothing she wears on air. However, Moritz being able to pick her own clothing is not the only thing she enjoys about her unique career.
Moritz has had a noteworthy career in broadcast journalism and loves what she does. She has reported on various topics and interviewed people from all types of backgrounds. Moritz first story was about a midnight basketball program that got kids off the streets. Slowly, from that story on she gained experience and moved on to bigger events. One of the highlights of her career was interviewing President Barack Obama, which she described as exhilarating and an honor. Moritz stated that her first time she went live she was very nervous, but she now doesn’t get the butterflies. Moritz also expressed that she loves her career: “I have so much passion for this career that it gets me in trouble.” Lastly, Moritz professed that one thing she loved was her co workers. She talked about how they have been through so much, and they have developed a strong bond. Moritz said, “We have each other’s back.” Another aspect she loves is getting to impact a few parts of her job.
Moritz being a news anchor allows her to have a little influence over her work. Moritz is usually given a script. However, periodically when Moritz is on the air and breaking news comes in, she has to speak on the spot. Moritz stated that “We never get through a newscast with just our script.” Moritz has other guidance in her job such as being on call at all times, having a long and demanding work schedule, and having to follow a dress code. Although, one feature she has control over is her goals when reporting a story. Moritz revealed that she wants her viewers to connect and be inspired. She explained, “I want you (the viewer) to go through a range of emotions.” She wants to go through a newscast with her audience, together.
Lara Moritz’s career in broadcast journalism has been a extensive expedition and has caused various adversity; however, she has been able to juggle her private life and her passions with her taxing career. Moritz is not just a woman who reports the news. She has a job that requires skills that the majority of people do not have. Moritz is a woman that connects the people of Kansas City and allows her community watching to feel involved with her. Almost every day Moritz has to go live on KMBC 9 News with her goal to inspire others.
Works Cited
Ward, Kaili et al. “Lara Moritz .” 26 Oct. 2016.