Just the facts

Mike Sciacca

Chelsea Peterson sat front and center in Jean Dunvan’s classroom, her

stare steady, her ears attentive as she and her classmates took in what

NBC news reporter David Cruz had to share about his career.

Cruz, a co-anchor on the station’s daily morning newscast, visited

Spring View Middle School after Peterson wrote him and extended an

invitation to come visit the her eighth-grade class.

The 13-year-old asked Cruz if he would speak to her class as part of a

class project entitled, I Search.

Dunvan had asked her students to select a topic of their own choice of

careers, that they might have a passion for and then, “go for it.”

Students selected careers such as architect, musician, choreographer and

veterinarian.

“Instead of relying solely on and encyclopedia or the Internet, they

were to actively gathering information on that topic on their own merit,”

she explained.

Chelsea chose to research newscasters. She took the initiative and

sent out 25 letters late last fall to most of the local television

stations. She said she received 11 responses -- nine of which came by

e-mail, including a three page e-mail from Cruz. He answered Chelsea’s

questions in regards to news reporting and said he would be glad to visit

Spring View.

Cruz had to cancel on two previous scheduled visits to the school, but

the third time proved to be the charm.

“I wanted to research something I didn’t know much about and that’s

what inspired me to chose newscasters,” Chelsea explained.

Cruz successfully drew the Spring View students into a question and

answer session by relying on personal anecdotes regarding his career. His

main message to the students was to pursue something that is of interest

to them now and if they want to become a news reporter, learn a command

of the English language and get a minimum of six years of education.

“Also, be persistent. If there’s something you want to do, then pursue

it,” he told them. “There are no shortcuts. Chelsea was a go-getter in

her research and she showed initiative by writing me.”

Chelsea admitted that she thought that most of the newscasters she

wrote would be too busy and have little time to come speak in her

classroom. But Cruz proved her wrong.

“I thought they might be too high and mighty and I was really

surprised by how sincere Mr. Cruz was,” she said. “He was great and I

learned a lot about what it takes to be a success in the newscasting

business.”

As for what she wants to do, Chelsea wasn’t sure.

“It sounded interesting at first, but now I’m not so sure. I’m keeping

my options open,” she said.

* MIKE SCIACCA is the education and sports reporter. He can be reached

at (714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.