MY STORY
We're lucky enough to live on an incredible planet. That much I've known since I was a child. What I didn't know then is that I'd spend my adult years educating people across the country on how some of the most marvelous phenomena on this planet will impact their day-to-day lives.
My mother is a science teacher. An incredible one . She had me learning about life on earth from the time I could hold a book, let alone read one. We simulated volcanic eruptions in the kitchen. We hunted for rocks and explored caverns so I could learn about geology. We went on whale watches (perks of living in New England) and to the aquarium so I could dive in to marine biology. Oh, and between all of our adventures there were plenty of notes and worksheets... even during the summer. Sorry, Mom, I won't let you off the hook for that one.
That said, she was my first, and will always be my favorite teacher,. When it comes down to it, I owe my love of science to her.
And yet even with my mother's influence and my own curiosity, contrary to most professional meteorologists, I had absolutely no intention of working in a scientific field. Or in television, for that matter.
I wanted to work in sports media, ideally, as a writer. As a life-long competitive golfer, I went into my senior year at NYU hoping to land a job with the R&A, the PGA, or any other golf powerhouse by the time school wrapped up.
That dream became a reality when my offer letter from the Golf Channel showed up in my email on my graduation day. By the end of the summer I had picked up and moved to Orlando, and had begun what I thought was the career I'd have until retirement.
On that occasion, my forecast was a bust.
In 2016, I left Golf Channel to pursue a job in local television after realizing how rewarding broadcasting could be. I left for what was supposed to be an anchor/reporter job in Washington State. It was a job in a town I had never heard of, in a state I had never been to, in a part of the country I knew nothing about 3,000 miles away.
I took that leap, only to take a bigger one when I got to the station. On my first day of work, my new boss looked at me and said the words that would shape the rest of my career.
"Hmm. You're really peppy. I think you're going to do the weather. Come on! Let's get you acquainted with the green screen."
I thought she was kidding. I actually laughed! Turns out she was entirely serious, and for that, I can't be thankful enough.
Now, here in 2023, I've not only been forecasting on-air for nearly eight years but am a certified meteorologist. I've forecasted and covered severe storms, tornadoes, Nor'easters, ice storms, hurricanes, floods, wind storms, heat waves, wildfires and even some sunshine in between.
If I'm not tracking any green on the radar, chances are I'm just trying to hit the green on the course! I was a four-year starter and three-year captain for NYU's golf team, and I still hit the links any chance I get! I also spend my free time skiing, and hiking with my husband, as well as snuggling our two dogs, Bogey and Grizzly!