Mariza Reyes joined KPRC Local 2 as a general assignments reporter in September 2006. She reports on KPRC Local 2 News at 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The Chicago-native's career has taken her around the United States. She moved a little north to WLUC-TV in Marquette, Mich. for her first reporting job. She later accepted reporting positions at WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, Wis., KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, N.M., KGMB-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii and WSYX-TV in Columbus, Ohio.

Her entire family lives in Chicago.

She adopted a deaf cat, Haupia, when she worked in Hawaii. "I love playing with her and cuddling with her after work," Mariza said.

In her spare time, Mariza enjoys eating sushi, yoga and running. She also enjoys reading biographies and autobiographies. "It's always interesting see how people ended up where they are and what kind of trials and tribulations they have gone through," Mariza said.

Mariza's happy that her job allows her to get out into the community and do something different everyday. She also likes it that being a reporter allows her to learn a little something about everything.

Mariza, a DePaul University graduate, was nominated for an Emmy in Columbus for a story about a child cancer survivor. She also won three awards from the Society of Professional Journalists while working in Hawaii.

She loves to work with children and would like to work closely with a school as a coach or mentor sometime.

Want to drop Mariza a note? E-mail her at mreyes@click2houston.com.