Sonia Espitia Biography Counseling 104 04/18/11

Merriam Webster defines success as a” Noun, an obsolete outcome, result, degree or measure of succeeding, favorable or desired outcome; also the attainment of wealth, favor or eminence, one that succeeds.” However, one of my personal favorite definitions of success, is a quote I came across a while back by an unknown author, and it states, “ If success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world, but it does not feel good in your heart, it’s not success at all.” I’ve been a faithful viewer of the “KTLA Morning News” for the past two years. During these two years, I’ve gotten to know about and admire a very prominent and well respected anchor news reporter named Michaela Pereira. Michaela Pereira has been with the “KTLA Morning News”, since February, 2004. However, she began her television career in Canada, where she was born and raised. She is the second of five girls, all of whom were adopted, growing up, Michaela faced a lot of diversity, since both her parents and sisters do not share the same ethnic backgrounds, she’s African American with some Jamaican, her sisters are all Native Americans, and her parents are both Caucasian. She felt as an outsider, particularly, since in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, there were not very many African-Americans; she always knew that she had to defend herself and her sisters from hostile remarks. Always, as a young

child, Michaela new that she wanted to become a teacher, or a translator for the United Nations. Becoming a news anchor, was not in her plans, however, looking back on her school achievements and activities, Michaela was the valedictorian of her High School class, she was in the debate team and was the school’s newspaper reporter, unbeknownst to her, being a storyteller was always in her. When she decided to become a news anchor, she knew that she was not your typical newscaster, she has curly dark hair and she’s not slender and thin, and her skin color was not one you would see on the evening news on a typical night, but she persevered and didn’t let that stop her from achieving her dreams of being in front of the cameras. Since coming to Los Angeles, she immediately captivated the hearts of the Angelinos, specially the black community; she has since won multiple Emmy Awards, and has been recognized for her outstanding broadcasting achievements. What I admire most about Michaela, is her unselfish work she does for the foster children in the Los Angeles area, coming from a foster home herself, she knows what is like to have that feeling of being rejected, she has since become a vital activist for an after school program called L.A.’s Best. L. A.’s Best provides educational and enrichment programs, it also provides recreational activities and a safe haven for kids that live in the LAUSD and sometimes live in dire circumstances. She’s also an advocate for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate); CASA is a program that provides a voice for all those children that sometimes get lost in the foster care system. She works with troubled youth and instills in them the importance of education, she knows the value of education, but Michaela also knows that for these kids is not always easy, she’s a firm believer, that it does take a village to raise a child, and to be a part of the community and help all these children, is her way of paying it forward. Although, she may

be a news reporter and evidently, she’s good at what she does, she’s also a teacher in my eyes, and in the eyes of all those whose lives she’s touched, the newsroom is her classroom, and we, the viewers are her students. Although, she doesn’t have any children of her own, it’s apparent the love she feels for all the children she works with, and it speaks volumes for all the notable work she has done for them throughout the years. She has succeeded in more ways than one in an industry that can be so harsh and only a few women survive. She didn’t let her ethnicity or any other obstacle stand in her way, she did everything in her own terms, when she was ready and did not let her fears get the best of her. She’s a strong independent woman, and she doesn’t let anything or anyone intimidate her. Which brings me back to the quote of success, Michaela Pereira succeeded when it looked good in her heart, I watch her every morning while I’m getting ready for work, and so many times I’ve heard her say that, for her, success is not having all the money in the world, for her success is knowing that she made a difference in someone’s life. I’ve learned from her that I have to take advantage of all the opportunities that may come my way, and not to let any kind of adversity or negativity hinder my abilities to reach my goals or dreams. She always talks about education, no matter if she’s interviewing a big shot celebrity or an upcoming actor/actress, she’s always encouraging them to help and reach out to young fans that are looking up to them, to be positive influences and not let the power of money dominate their live choices. She has been such a positive role model in my life, and I hope that one day, I too can make a difference in someone’s life.

Works Cited 1.) Associate Publisher.com 2.) KTLA.com 3.) Merriam Webster.com 4.) Save The Date Central.com