Interview w/ Araksya Karapetyan

Louisa Sharamatayan talks with Araksya Karapetyan! Emmy award winning anchor Araksya Karapetyan anchors the morning newscasts on FOX 11’s Good Day LA in Los Angeles. A native of Armenia, Araksya moved to the United States from Gyumri when she was seven years old. A devastating earthquake, a brewing conflict with Azerbaijan, and the demise of the Soviet Union all contributed to her family's decision to leave their homeland. Araksya grew up in Palos Verdes Estates, California but her connection to her homeland has remained strong. Araksya has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Araksya began her television career as an intern at KABC-TV in Los Angeles,  KFI 640 AM radio in Burbank and Torrance CitiCABLE 3. Her interest in journalism sparked in 2006 when she went back to Armenia for a visit after graduating college. While there, she decided to spend her time not by being a tourist, but by exploring to see what everyday life was really like for the average Armenian. Araksya grabbed a camcorder and literally hit the streets of Gyrumi to talk to everyday people about life post-communism. She interviewed people and visited places such as an orphanage, a psychiatric ward, some schools, and a home for the elderly to fully understand the issues the newly democratic country was facing. That experience —and that trip —-ignited her passion to pursue journalism. Araksya has been reporting and anchoring at FOX 11 for the past 7 1/2 years. Before coming back home to Los Angeles, Araksya worked in Idaho Falls, Idaho as a reporter, photographer, editor, writer, producer and weekend anchor. She then made an impressive jump from the small town of Idaho Falls to Portland, Oregon. She spent two years there as a general assignment reporter, always leading the evening newscasts with the big investigative stories of the day. Araksya also had an opportunity to host a lifestyle show while in Portland, giving her a chance to showcase more of her personality. Over the years Araksya has gotten heavily involved with the Armenian community in Los Angeles. She recently emceed the welcoming ceremony of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at Los Angeles city hall and had the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minster in an exclusive interview. This past April, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recognized Araksya for her dedicated work within the Armenian American community. In October, Araksya accepted the “Excellence in Media” Award from the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA -WR) in her tireless effort to bring attention to the Armenian Cause, for being the voice of the community and for serving  as a role model for the younger generation. Pan Armenian TV named Araksya “television personality of the year” during this year’s Armenian Influencer Awards. “I am fortunate to have a job that I love and have chosen a career that challenges me every day to grow and evolve both professionally and personally. I also happen to be in a position now which allows me to share with others my culture, the Armenian story and the Armenian cause. I don’t for a moment take any of it for granted. I count my blessing everyday.” Araksya resides in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two daughters Sevan and Sona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices