Hey, I’m Sarah Plake, WIBW’s newbie. I JUST graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas this past May 2012 (Rock Chalk!!). That was and still is a huge accomplishment for me, because I’m the only one out of my whole family to have graduated from a university. I am so grateful to have landed this job as the newest reporter/anchor at Channel 13, because a lot of new graduates can’t even find a job, especially one like this! Getting the chance to tell cool stories every day? I can’t think of anything better than that.

I’m from Kansas City, Kansas. Everyone asks me, “oh but what part? Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe?” Nope, KCK. I’m a Wyandotte County girl, born and raised. I’m very proud of where I’m from, my heritage and the family that raised me. Both of my parents are from Kansas City, too. My mom’s side of the family is Mexican-American, so I have a deep appreciation for the culture and food. I’m always on the look-out for that authentic stuff. My dad’s side of the family has German ancestry, and I think Plake is a shortened version of some long, hard-to-pronounce German name. I have a 16-year-old sister, Jessica Marie the volleyball prodigy, and a 14-year-old brother, Alex Michael. They are funny, goofy, smart people and I’m so proud of all of them.

My love for journalism and telling stories started when I was about three years old. I was writing stories ever since I can remember. So I was set on that my entire life. It wasn’t until college that I realized I wanted to go into the broadcast side of journalism, and what a great decision that was. I want to be a journalist people can relate to. I believe in genuine, authentic journalism. After all, your point doesn’t get across unless you really believe in it, right?

My experience here at WIBW so far has been tremendously positive. I was immediately given the opportunity to report and anchor, and I can feel myself becoming a better journalist every day, thanks to everyone here. I can’t wait to see what stories I can tell you next.

You can see me reporting three days a week and anchoring the 8am Saturday and 10am Sunday news. I hope you’ll tune in!

Other than journalism, I love dancing, eating everything, classic movies, gaudy jewelry, my bearded dragon Bowser, anything KU and going to concerts.

If you see me out and about, PLEASE say hi! I love meeting new people and would love to hear what you have to say.