Juanita retired from ABC/30 in August of 2006, so she could spend more time with her two children.  She accepted the position of News Director at KJWL Radio in Fresno because it allowed her the flexibility she needed to be a working mother.

Juanita was born and raised in Bakersfield, California.  She attended California State University, Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in Political Science.  She is married and has two children.

Memorable Childhood Moment
Juanita: “I remember spending hours reading.  My mother would come in the room and catch me reading in the dark.  I had become so absorbed in the book, I hadn’t noticed that it had turned dark and I needed to turn on the lights.”

Claudia is a Valley native. She graduated from Firebaugh High School prior to attending CSU, Fresno, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. She was awarded a health fellowship by USC’s Annenberg School for Communication in 2008.

Claudia and her husband, Raul Alcala, live in Fresno. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Memorable Childhood Moment
Claudia: "I remember when I was very young, my dad would come home after a long day’s work, and pick me up and dance with me."

Jessica grew up in the Central Valley. She received her Master’s Degree in History at CSU, Fresno. She also received her Bachelor’s Degree at CSU, Fresno in History and Mass Communication and Journalism. Jessica has written for a variety of Valley newspapers, such as the Hanford Sentinel, the Selma Enterprise and The Collegian at CSU, Fresno.

Jessica lives in Fresno and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Memorable Childhood Moment
Jessica: “Throughout my childhood, I remember going camping multiple times a year with my family. We traveled all across California and even into nearby states. We had so much fun!”

Raul lives in Fresno and enjoys watching movies and reading..

Memorable Childhood Moment
Raul: “From kindergarten till about 3rd grade, I remember my dad picking me up from school – usually in the middle of the day – and we’d go fishing for the whole day.”

Connie has been involved in the field of nutrition for more than 20 years, working in hospitals, community nutrition, public health, and teaching at CSU, Fresno. She is certified in child and adolescent weight management by the American Dietetic Association and has authored and presented original research at national conferences of the American Dietetic Association.

Connie is currently employed at the UC Cooperative Extension in Fresno. As the nutrition and consumer sciences advisor, she directs four nutrition education programs, including the youth nutrition program, which provides curriculum for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade at schools in low income areas.

In her spare time, Connie likes to ride her bike, hike and explore California. She enjoys researching recipes and discovering new ways to prepare healthy foods for her family and friends.

Memorable Childhood Moment
Connie: “I remember the first time I helped in the kitchen. I was going on five and my grandmother put me on the counter and handed me some pie dough. I tasted it and told her, ‘Too greasy.’ Hmm. Nutrition was my destiny.”

Jody graduated with a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Change from the Fielding Graduate University. She earned a master’s degree in education – school counseling and bachelor’s degree in recreation administration – therapeutic option from California State University, Fresno.

Jody is currently an associate professor in the recreation administration and leisure studies program at California State University, Fresno. Jody and her husband, Marc, have a daughter and son.

Memorable Childhood Moment
Jody: “When I was a little girl, my family went camping for the very first time. As I was sitting around the campfire, a moth flew into my cup of milk. I was stunned! My parents wanted the wilderness trip to be a memorable and enjoyable experience, so my Mom switched her cup with mine and even drank my milk!  I thought she was the coolest Mom to do that! And she still is the coolest!”