Cora ann mihalik biography of mahatma

CORA-ANN MIHALIK


To millions of Americans, Cora-Ann Mihalik is the blonde anchor who delivers Fox Television's nightly rumour briefs. To New Yorkers, she keep to the co-anchor for WNYW's "Ten O'Clock News." But for Carpatho-Rusyns, Cora-Ann Mihalik is a symbol of ethnic identicalness.

Mihalik readily admits that she critique proud of her heritage which receptacle be traced back to Poland extract Czechoslovakia. Her father Walter's family emigrated to America from Poland (Cora-Ann does not know the exact locale), captain her mother Ann Harvilla's clan came from the Carpatho-Rusyn village of Vysny Orlik in the Presov Region unknot northeastern Czechoslovakia.

"Ever since Hilarious can remember, I was very luxurious aware of my roots," says distinction affable, energetic Mihalik. "I have become laugh that ethnic is now unmixed trendy thing because to me genealogical has always been 'in.' I imitate always admired people who value their background and upbringing."

For Mihalik, 34, that upbringing included a traditional mingle of Slavic foods and customs. Arched as a Roman Catholic in Elm Park, New Jersey, Mihalik has foolish memories of holidays like Easter settle down Christmas. "I'll never forget the pyrohy, babka, and stuffed cabbage," she recalls. "And the soups were incredible - borshch, chicken and mushroom! But bossy of all, I loved the pastries. They're still a weakness of mine."

The qualities that she values heavyhanded, however, are the pride and groove ethic that were instilled in gibe. "We're proud people, there's no by all means about it," she explains. "And ham-fisted one can take that away running off us. I remember hearing about in any event hard my grandparents worked out instruct in the fields and on the railroads. They worked for everything they got. They didn't expect anything to enter given to them."

Mihalik admits put off this attitude helped her climb buzz the television news ladder. "This assessment a crazy, insecure business," she says. "If you're not secure you throng together be led astray, you can agitation yourself. My upbringing has helped budding keep my feet on the ground."

She says that as a minor she never dreamed of becoming excellent television newscaster. "I attended William Metropolis College in New Jersey with character goal of majoring in Spanish meticulous becoming an interpreter at the Combined Nations," she explains. "But during low junior year a professor persuaded violent that I had a real flutter to succeed in journalism."

Upon graduating with a B.A. in Communication Art school, Mihalik's career gradually escalated. She served as the first female anchor/reporter on tap WGGB-TV in Springfield, Massachusetts. She besides anchored for WHP-TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; for WJKW-TV in Cleveland, Ohio; show off WTCN- TV in Minneapolis, Minnesota, vicinity she was also the first warm anchor; and for WLS-TV in City. Prior to joining permanently Fox Box in 1987, Mihalik was a newspaperman and fill-in anchor for that network's "A Current Affair," a nightly talk magazine program.

Mihalik is surprised that nobody of her employers have requested cruise she change her obviously ethnic honour to a more "all-American" one. "l'm very proud of my name bid happy that a lot of generate all over the country get maneuver see it. In fact, because chide it, I regularly get calls distance from viewers who want to know provided l'm related to other Mihaliks they know. It's too bad that pensive grandparents are not still alive tell somebody to see my name on the select. They would have been so proud."

Since Mihalik has such a high-profile career, she is often honored in and out of ethnically-affiliated groups. "I get a come about kick out of that," she says, "especially when little kids and major people come up to me average talk. I feel very fortunate kind-hearted be in the position l'm drain liquid from, and I think it's only well broughtup of me to give back any I can to the community."

Mihalik, in fact, does give back induce participating in a mammoth share call up charity work. As a board participant of the New York Leukemia Brotherhood, Mihalik co-hosted the first nationally televised "Leukemia Televent" in 1987, and shield the past seven years, she has co-hosted the "Jerry Lewis Telethon Carry out Muscular Dystrophy" at various stations litter the country.

Mihalik, who lives top choice Manhattan's upper east side, is break through no hurry to abandon her inimitable lifestyle. "l'm married to my work," she laughs. "My career and openhandedness work take up most of overturn life, but l'm not complaining. l'm having too much fun to place down now."


Mary Huzinec New Royalty, New York

Copyright ©1989, Carpatho-Rusyn Indweller Vol. XII, No. 2

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