Austin Murray
Composition and Research
Interview Essay
November 7, 2016
The Real Lara Moritz
Lara Moritz was asked what her main goal was when reporting the news she answered, “What I want you to do when you watch the news is I want you to go through a the range of emotions. I want you to laugh at some of the fun stories. Make fun of Bryan Busby!” Although most Kansas Citians probably don’t laugh at Bryan Busby that often, they definitely do go through their fair share of emotions when watching the news. Most Kansas City patrons know Lara Moritz as KMBC 9 News lead anchor for the evening news. However, there is more to Moritz than what is shown on the news. Moritz’s beliefs on education swayed her path to success, while being the lead anchor at KMBC 9 News gave her a second family as well as blessed her with opportunities.
Moritz is an advocate of education; she didn’t know she wanted to go into journalism until her junior year of college, but she believed a good education was essential to success. Moritz grew up in a small town on a dairy farm. Her parents implanted the idea in her mind that “if you get an education you can do anything.” When Moritz attended school, she wasn't always the best student and sometimes even thought about giving up: “I think everybody has those moments where they think, forget it, this is so hard. Not in high school, not in college, not in graduate school was I a very good student.” Even though those thoughts were relayed through Moritz’s mind from time to time, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Writing from Knox College. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree, she immediately went back to school and earned a Master's of Science in Journalism from the University of Kansas. After her schooling, Moritz immediately dove into the field of investigative journalism.
To get where Moritz is today, she had to put in hard work. She preached the importance of making contact with people who have the recourses that can get her where she wants to go: “My dad always taught me to make contact with people.” After earning her Master’s of Science in Journalism, Moritz held an internship at KSNT Channel 27 news in Topeka, Kansas, which is where she made her contacts that led her to the position she holds today. The first time Moritz went live she actually had to beg the producers to let her go live, as an intern, to report a story about a basketball program to get kids off the streets and into the gyms. Moritz’s first time on live television was not easy for her; it was one of the most exhilarating and nerve-racking events in her life: “I almost threw up. In fact, I think I did because I was so nervous. I remember I didn't understand that you don't need to yell.” After her internship, Moritz was offered a position as a photographer and editor at KSNT. During her final year she was given the opportunity to anchor the 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. news. After just three years in Topeka, one year anchoring evening news, Moritz was offered a position at KMBC.
Moritz chose Kansas City as the place to advance her career because it is a very family-oriented city, but she has gained another family during her years there. Moritz had job offers to anchor and live in Boston, but she chose Kansas City because she felt it was the better place to raise her children and have a family. Moritz, who has a 16 year old daughter still in high school and a son who is attending Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts, said, “I raised my kids in this newsroom. It is hard but you can do it.” Moritz definitely had help from a second party, a second family: her coworkers. Moritz said, “We have been through so much. We have each other’s back.” when discussing the bond she has developed with her coworkers through 20 years of working side by side. One thing Moritz said that her and her coworkers always do after a long, grueling broadcast is hug each other, and maybe make fun of Bryan Busby occasionally.
Along with making fun of Bryan Busby, there are opportunities that come with being the lead anchor on a prestigious news network like KMBC. She explained, “I love interviewing people. I love being in the field.” However, there is one interview that Moritz could definitely say is her favorite, her interview of President Barack Obama. Moritz says that nerves don’t usually affect her anymore, but during her interview with President Obama those nerves came back. She explained, “I kept saying a prayer, please God don’t let me fall on my face walking out to my chair.” Even though she was nervous, having the opportunity to interview President Obama is something she will be able cherish for the remainder of her life. Moritz has a tremendous amount of passion for what she does. However, she says, “ Every job has bad days.” Whether those bad days come from her having to hold her tongue because she doesn’t agree with what she is reporting, or from having to report a sad story that connect to her on a personal level, Moritz loves every second of her job. The feelings she gets make what she does important to not only her, but to her viewers too.
Lara Moritz gave an insight on her education, her path to success, the growth of her family, and her good fortune. Moritz has gotten to experience a life of interesting stories. She has broadcasted those stories to the televisions all around the Kansas City region, thus, having an impact on all citizens in said region. Moritz has taken most viewers through a rollercoaster of emotion when they watch her broadcast, and some probably even make fun of Bryan Busby.
Works Cited
Ward, Kaili et al. “Lara Moritz.” 26 Oct. 2016.