As the daughter of migrant farm workers, Gina Silva remembers watching her mother and father work under the grueling sun, picking vegetables for little money and often being cheated for their work. It was a life she wanted to escape and a fate she was determined to change.
Now as a special projects reporter for FOX 11 News, Gina reflects on her past, often surprising herself at what she has accomplished and overcome. "I really came from nothing," she says. "All I really remember wanting as a child was running water." Working in the fields with her parents and being shuttled back and forth from Texas to Arizona to California, Gina found herself being "The Migrant Kid"--always the new face at school.
"My parents would always tell me, 'If you don't want to end up like us, you have to stay in school." Gina says. She did, earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications at Arizona State University. While still in college, Gina began working for Univision in Phoenix where she soon went on to host her own show "Realidad en Educacion", a show which focused on successful Latinos in Arizona. Upon Graduating, Gina was offered a job with a CBS affiliate in Tucson. She anchored the morning news and did daily live reports. Within two years, Gina quickly made her leap back into Phoenix, working for the ABC affiliate. There she earned numerous awards including Emmy's for her investigative work.
One of her stories caught the attention of an executive at EXTRA, the popular syndicated news magazine. She was offered a job as a correspondent based out of LA and for four years, she traveled around the country reporting on current events and interviewing the hottest celebrities.
Gina has been with KTTV since 2001. In addition to her work at Fox, Gina loves photography. Her work can be viewed on her personal site: Ginasilvaphotography.com.
When not covering the news or photographing people, Gina enjoys going back to class to encourage kids to stay in school. She always reminds them of a simple truth-when you set your mind to something, you can achieve great things. "I try to tell them there are people out there willing to help you out," Gina says. "But once somebody opens the door, it's all up to you."
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:08:43 GMT
400 food service employees at the Honda Center are being laid off and 500 new employees are being hired in their place. The layoff notices say the last day of employment will be June 30th.
400 food service employees at the Honda Center are being laid off and 500 new employees are being hired in their place. The layoff notices say the last day of employment will be June 30th.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:26 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:26:58 GMT
It's a simple question, and those in the education reform movement say there's a simple answer: special interests.As LAUSD agrees to pay out 30 million dollars to the families victimized.
It's a simple question, and those in the education reform movement say there's a simple answer: special interests. As LAUSD agrees to pay out 30 million dollars to the families victimized.
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:40 AM EDT2013-05-18 07:40:17 GMT
An unidentified 16-year-old male student at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga has been arrested and booked on a felony charge of distributing obscene material.
An unidentified 16-year-old male student at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga has been arrested and booked on a felony charge of distributing obscene material depicting a minor engaging in, or simulating, sexual conduct.
Thursday, May 16 2013 3:08 AM EDT2013-05-16 07:08:49 GMT
Families fight back against social workers they say lie, fabricate evidence and perjure themselves in court. They're suing and forcing the county to cough up big bucks for the alleged wrong doing.
Families fight back against social workers they say lie, fabricate evidence and perjure themselves in court. They're suing and forcing the county to cough up big bucks for the alleged wrong doing.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-08 13:46:18 GMT
Brian Claypool is one of the lead attorneys in the Miramonte child abuse case. Now, he's taking on Orange County's child protective services.
Brian Claypool is one of the lead attorneys in the Miramonte child abuse case. Now, he's taking on Orange County's child protective services. Claypool is accusing CPS of engaging in child trafficking and exposing children to sexual abuse for financial gain.
Thursday, May 2 2013 11:34 AM EDT2013-05-02 15:34:11 GMT
A 16-year-old says his walk down the aisle was his pathway to freedom. The wedding legally emancipated him from a court order to live with his father, the man he says molested him.
A 16-year-old says his walk down the aisle was his pathway to freedom. The wedding legally emancipated him from a court order to live with his father, the man he says molested him.
Thursday, May 2 2013 3:32 AM EDT2013-05-02 07:32:34 GMT
A 16-year-old says his walk down the aisle was his pathway to freedom. The wedding legally emancipated him from a court order to live with his father, the man he says molested him.
A 16-year-old says his walk down the aisle was his pathway to freedom. The wedding legally emancipated him from a court order to live with his father, the man he says molested him.
Friday, April 26 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-04-26 23:17:08 GMT
Dozens of patients have complained to the California Medical Board about a Los Angeles doctor they say left them horribly scarred.
Dozens of patients have complained to the California Medical Board about a Los Angeles doctor they say left them horribly scarred. So why after so many complaints was the doctor allowed to continue hurting patients?
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