Lambrini Lukidis, Television Reporter

Lambrini Lukidis, Reporter WZZM 13 News, (ABC) Gannett Broadcasting, Grand Rapids, MI
by Contributing Writer Elena Kerasiotis

Over the holidays America lost one its past presidents, Gerald R. Ford. Funeral services were broadcast from Washington DC, and from his last resting place, Grand Rapids, MI. There to cover the story was newly assigned reporter for WZZM13 News, Lambrini Lukidis. Lukidis, a Hellenic American from the Chicago Area, has just been assigned to the ABC, Gannett Broadcasting affiliate. She advises that she was especially impressed with the coordination and efforts made by the Ford family to present a dignified ceremony to honor the life and accomplishments of America's 38th president. "While I was waiting in line, one the family members came by and shook every ones hand. They reflected Michigan values and were truly down to earth."

Lukidis finds that the people of Grand Rapids are easy to interview and accessible. She enjoys being a part of the local press core and that she was able to present the "real" story only available to the local media. "We know the behind the scene stories, and are able to report personal accounts of people who knew the past president." Covering the funeral can be numbered as one of the most momentous stories of her career.

Lambrini is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has been reporting for the last six years. Her first assignment was in Grand Junction, Colorado where she was Weekend Anchor Reporter at KJCT-TV, and most recently WVTV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When asked about her reception by the Greek Community she shares, "The church community in Grand Rapids is very welcoming and I was surprised to see how many of the congregation knew who I was. At my previous stations I found that Greeks are everywhere, even in Western Colorado." She goes on to say, "When I didn't know anyone, the people of the Greek Community embraced me. They always reach out to a new person. It's called Filotimo." Lambrini is fluent in Greek and Spanish and traveled to Greece with her family every year until she began college and working full time. Her father was Constantinople and her mother who is of Italian decent is from Chicago. She looks forward to visiting her relatives in Athens again soon.

When asked about the influence of her Greek heritage on her reporting style, she states, "It allows me to meet new people quickly. I believe that the warmth of personality and social experience attributed to Greeks influences my interviewing style. I try to be conversational and real with my subjects, and not be fake about it."

Lambrini plans to continue in her reporting career and looks forward to getting to better know her viewers in the Grand Rapids area. She recounts, "To tell a complete story, it's not just the facts, it's the people behind it. It's important to relate the story to viewer, to allow them to see that this could happen to them." She tries to engage the audience and the community. "Its important to take the extra time to just ask a few more questions. It's easy to overlook some things due to deadlines. So you have to just try and make that extra effort."

In a recent interview for WZZM13, Lambrini acknowledges that television reporting is competitive and her philosophy is "Don't compete with other people, compete with yourself." Truly, Words of Wisdom.

Malista wishes Lambrini much success in her new position and hopes to hear more of her in the future.
Lambrini can be seen every evening on the 11:00pm news report. Her stories are available on the local network site, www.wzzm13.com She is represented by Mort Meisner and Associates. You can email Lambrini at lambrinilukidis@wzzm13.com

Malista!