Crossroads News
Broadcast Journalist Pays Summer School a Visit
Natalie Lizarraga speaks to students about her career as an on-air personality.
A Middle School speech class got the chance to learn from a professional on July 8, as TV news anchor Natalie Lizarraga visited Crossroads School.
Students in Lindsay Mastergeorge’s Speak Up! course watched clips of Natalie in action interviewing celebrities and professional athletes, as well as anchoring live news segments. They also learned invaluable lessons, such as the importance of research and preparation.
“Every morning when I report the news, it’s all live,” said Natalie, who appears as an entertainment and traffic anchor on ABC22/FOX45 in Dayton, Ohio. “So if I’m not prepared, it’s very bad. The No. 1 thing you have to realize when you have to give a speech is do your homework. You’ll be more confident in your ability because you know what you’re doing.”
Her advice came right on time, as the students prepared to present their how-to projects and participate in the class’ debate week. Among other tips Natalie bestowed on the Middle Schoolers was to remember to take breaths and slow down, even if they may be nervous to speak in front of an audience.
By observing Natalie at work, students also gained insights on stage presence and enunciation.
“You can see what she’s saying without even hearing her,” sixth-grader Meazi Light-Orr exclaimed while viewing one of Natalie’s clips.
Natalie, a native Angeleno and Loyola Marymount University graduate, got her start in the industry as an entertainment reporter. Now that she’s living in the Midwest, she shared that she’s had to adapt to her new surroundings, namely by slowing down her quick-talking California ways.
“People want to get their information faster, but in the news, speed does not work for you because people are like, ‘You’re talking too fast. I’m trying to comprehend,’” Natalie said. “So you have to slow down. Remember to take those pauses and let it sink in for people.”
Parting words of wisdom Natalie left the students with included don’t bring a word-for-word speech (so as not to become dependent on the paper), engage the audience and don’t be afraid to tell a joke or two.
