Emmy Award-winning news anchor Ernie Anastos spoke to more than 250 middle school students at Greenwich Country Day on Monday, Nov. 12. His speech focused on following one’s dreams in pursuing a career.
Anastos spoke about his book “Ernie & the Big Newz: The Adventures of a TV Reporter,” which follows the adventures of a small boy who wants to become a news anchor. A highlight of the presentation was a film that chronicled Anastos’ achievements at Fox including coverage of 9/11 and the tragic deaths of Michael Jackson, Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr. The children purchased copies of the book at the Greenwich Country Day Book Fair with all proceeds going to the Make a Wish Foundation.
“I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a television reporter. So I studied hard, read a lot and watched other reporters on TV to see what I could learn from them. I never stopped pursuing my dream and neither should you,” Anastos told the students.
Eliot Spizzirri, a 5th grader, who is actively following his dream to be a top-ranked tennis player, enjoyed the presentation. “It was great to meet an adult with such a cool job. He told us that TV was really hard work, but he enjoys every minute of it. What I learned is that I follow my dream, nothing will stop me from succeeding,” Eliot said.
Greenwich Country Day headmaster Adam Rohdie said, “Helping students determine the path they wish to follow in life is an important part of our mission. Ernie Anastos is an extraordinary broadcaster, and he really engaged the students when he spoke to them about his career. He provided a great opportunity for our students to discuss their own career aspirations.”
Anastos’ visit to Greenwich Country Day follows a recent talk he delivered at the Ferguson Library in Stamford on civility in media in which he called for truth, accuracy and fairness, and for news outlets to feature more positive stories.
