Robin Roberts once said, “Let your passion be your purpose.”This must be a common idea for female news anchors because Lara Moritz has done just that. Moritz is familiar with the word “passion” as it appears to be the driving force behind her success. Moritz had inspiring moments as well as difficult situations on her journey to where she is today. Through this adventure one theme has stayed constant: passion.
Passion first showed up in Moritz’s life when she started school; for some students school comes easily it was a different story for Moritz. She attended college at Knox College in Illinois for a total of six years; four years for her undergraduate degree and an additional two years for her masters. She shared that school was not easy for her. Her parents instilled the importance of a good education; she was passionate about learning and working hard to be a successful student. Although, she admits, “I did not know I wanted to go into journalism until I was a junior in college.” She actually started journalism by a recommendation from her mom. She was quoted saying, “I just kept telling myself, you have to get an education because if you get an education you can do anything.” The possibilities are truly endless when you have an education, and as a KMBC News anchor, Moritz substantiates that statement.
Furthermore, Moritz used her passion to stay in touch with valuable contacts. When asked about her job at KMBC 9 News, she said, “One thing my dad always taught me was to make contacts and stay in contact with the contacts you make.” Moritz took that advice to heart and a job came as a result. Moritz accepted an internship at KMBC 9 News, and even though that’s not where she first anchored, she kept in contact with the producer. He even gave her constructive criticism while she was anchoring in Topeka. Not only did her connection help her become a better anchor, but it was also very beneficial when she made the decision to come back to KMBC and has been there for the past 26 years.
Passion plays one of its most important roles in Moritz’s job. As a news anchor she covers emotional and moving stories. Because she has a passion for people, sometimes this can be hard. This was shown when she was asked how she keeps her feelings separate from the stories she covers she shared, “That's probably my biggest biggest weakness I don't.” She takes pride in caring for the people she interviews she said, “If someone allows me to interview them and give them a voice then forever more I have a responsibility to that family.” She believes that she is responsible for getting the correct facts and story for the family whom she is reporting. She shared, “I cry with you at home, I laugh with you at home.” Moritz’s passion for people is one of the qualities that makes her relatable when she reports.
Moritz has a husband and two children, yet another aspect of her life where passion benefits her. She stayed passionate about her job while still being a mother. Moritz talks about her children saying, “I raised my children in this newsroom.” Not only was she passionate about finding a good job but also about finding a job that she would feel comfortable bringing her children. Moritz opened up about how understanding KMBC was about her being a mother first,stating “If one of my children is sick and I have to stay home with them, KMBC understands.” Moritz’s passion has helped her maintain a well balanced life between family and work.
Although Moritz loves her job, she has other passions as well. She shared that she loves to read, “ I love my books, I never get rid of my books,” a few she recommends are “Buffalo Soldier, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, and A Man In The Sea”. Aside from reading, Moritz also loves to travel. She recently took her son all the way to Boston University where he is to attend college this fall. It seems that no matter what Moritz does: she does it with passion.
To some, passion may seem like just a word, but to Lara Moritz, passion is a lifestyle. Moritz is an inspiration to others; a perfect example of “making your passion your purpose.” Working hard through school, keeping valuable contacts, and starting a family, all done with passion. Whether she is reporting breaking news, or driving halfway across the country to take her child to college, Moritz does it with passion.
Passion first showed up in Moritz’s life when she started school; for some students school comes easily it was a different story for Moritz. She attended college at Knox College in Illinois for a total of six years; four years for her undergraduate degree and an additional two years for her masters. She shared that school was not easy for her. Her parents instilled the importance of a good education; she was passionate about learning and working hard to be a successful student. Although, she admits, “I did not know I wanted to go into journalism until I was a junior in college.” She actually started journalism by a recommendation from her mom. She was quoted saying, “I just kept telling myself, you have to get an education because if you get an education you can do anything.” The possibilities are truly endless when you have an education, and as a KMBC News anchor, Moritz substantiates that statement.
Furthermore, Moritz used her passion to stay in touch with valuable contacts. When asked about her job at KMBC 9 News, she said, “One thing my dad always taught me was to make contacts and stay in contact with the contacts you make.” Moritz took that advice to heart and a job came as a result. Moritz accepted an internship at KMBC 9 News, and even though that’s not where she first anchored, she kept in contact with the producer. He even gave her constructive criticism while she was anchoring in Topeka. Not only did her connection help her become a better anchor, but it was also very beneficial when she made the decision to come back to KMBC and has been there for the past 26 years.
Passion plays one of its most important roles in Moritz’s job. As a news anchor she covers emotional and moving stories. Because she has a passion for people, sometimes this can be hard. This was shown when she was asked how she keeps her feelings separate from the stories she covers she shared, “That's probably my biggest biggest weakness I don't.” She takes pride in caring for the people she interviews she said, “If someone allows me to interview them and give them a voice then forever more I have a responsibility to that family.” She believes that she is responsible for getting the correct facts and story for the family whom she is reporting. She shared, “I cry with you at home, I laugh with you at home.” Moritz’s passion for people is one of the qualities that makes her relatable when she reports.
Moritz has a husband and two children, yet another aspect of her life where passion benefits her. She stayed passionate about her job while still being a mother. Moritz talks about her children saying, “I raised my children in this newsroom.” Not only was she passionate about finding a good job but also about finding a job that she would feel comfortable bringing her children. Moritz opened up about how understanding KMBC was about her being a mother first,stating “If one of my children is sick and I have to stay home with them, KMBC understands.” Moritz’s passion has helped her maintain a well balanced life between family and work.
Although Moritz loves her job, she has other passions as well. She shared that she loves to read, “ I love my books, I never get rid of my books,” a few she recommends are “Buffalo Soldier, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, and A Man In The Sea”. Aside from reading, Moritz also loves to travel. She recently took her son all the way to Boston University where he is to attend college this fall. It seems that no matter what Moritz does: she does it with passion.
To some, passion may seem like just a word, but to Lara Moritz, passion is a lifestyle. Moritz is an inspiration to others; a perfect example of “making your passion your purpose.” Working hard through school, keeping valuable contacts, and starting a family, all done with passion. Whether she is reporting breaking news, or driving halfway across the country to take her child to college, Moritz does it with passion.