Radio-TV Reporter Lectures At St. John's University

Photos Catherine Tsounis Sophia Hall (2nd from l.) receives an award from Dr. Marie Lise Gazarian as student moderators Yvonne Cassimatis (l.) and Spiros Kostaras (r.) look on.

Sophia Hall, a thirdgeneration Greek

American radio

journalist, gave the second annual Greek Independence Day lecture at St. John's University on February 28. Dr. Marie Lise Gazarian, SJU Languages and Literature Department chairperson, Professor Catherine Tsounis and Dr. John Siolas welcomed Hall to the campus and Yvonne Cassimatis and Spiro Kostaras were student moderators. Some 70 students attended the lecture.

The 29-year-old Hall has achieved national recognition through her broadcasts on WCBS Radio 880. She attributed her success to her mother, Georgia, who, she said, actually chose her career. "She used to drive one hour and 45 minutes to take me to college," Hall said of her mother. "She believed in me."

Hall's family immigrated to America from Crete and settled in Youngstown, Ohio. "My great-grandmother, Sophia, immigrated to the United States, thinking the streets were paved with gold," Hall noted. Grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins lived within a block of each other and Hall's mother spoke only Greek until she was four years old. Her father, in contrast, was not raised Greek. but went to Greek school to learn the language and was successful, eventually becoming president of the parish council for the Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown.

Photos Catherine Tsounis Some 70 students attended the lecture.

Hall's parents married in 1972. She is one of three children.

The radio journalist graduated with an Associate in Arts degree in radio/television from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio and a Bachelor of Arts degree in television from Columbia College in Chicago. She began her career in Meridian, Mississippi, as a reporter on television and radio. From there, she moved back to Ohio to work in Youngstown as a radio anchor/reporter and then got a job in Cleveland, Ohio. A year later she was hired at CBS Radio in New York City.

Her first job in a radio station in Meridian, Mississippi was an eye opener in life, she said. "My salary was so low, my parents sent me $150 a month live. I worked three jobs and kept focused. What does not kill you makes you stronger. No one feels a woman can be successful without sleeping [around] to get ahead. I made my own opportunities through hard work and competence."

She has been at CBS for more than four years. "I report on everything from court cases, crimes and charity events on Long Island and New York City." Hall said. "My broadcasts are on CBS 880 AM Tuesdays through Saturdays. I am normally on the air every hour."

When she came to New York City, "The Greek American community embraced me on Long Island," she said. "I am a member of the Archangel's Church in Glen Cove. Every Easter I return to Ohio in order to decorate the Epitafio (Christ's tomb) on Good Friday. I do not party, go to bars or drink alcohol. I work three jobs. My volunteer work includes working at local animal shelters, the Philoptohos Society of my church and the Cancer Center for kids at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola. I am the spokesperson for Estelle's Dressy Dresses in Farmingdale, Long Island." She smiled. "If you have a news tip for the Long Island Bureau, please send me an e-mail at shall@cbs.com or fax me at (516) 7428616."