Tessa Darlington Bio

Tessa Darlington joined the WTVY family in August 2011. You can catch her sitting in the anchor chair beside Reginald Jones, Monday through Friday at 5, 6 and 10:00 p.m.

Before heading to the South, Tessa was the weekend anchor and a general assignment reporter at WTAJ TV in Altoona, Pa. She made the most of her two years there, not only covering the stories that mattered to folks in Central Pennsylvania but also by connecting with the community. Tessa’s stories at WTAJ were nominated for numerous Associated Press Awards. She was part of the crew that won an AP Award for Best Breaking News Coverage in 2009.

Tessa “learned the ropes” during two internships before landing her first TV job; those being at WTAE TV in Pittsburgh, and WDTV TV in Bridgeport, WV.

She graduated magna cum laude from the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, with degrees in both broadcast journalism and political science. Tessa also received the honor of being selected Newhouse Scholar by the school’s faculty, an award given to only ten students a year.

While at Syracuse University, Tessa got involved in the student-run television station, CitrusTV. She climbed the ranks until she finally became News Director of the station her junior year. As part of her duties, she oversaw a news department made up of 100 Syracuse University students. Tessa helped the department grow from producing three shows a week to five and saw all of them be aired on public access television on both the campus and throughout the Syracuse community.

Besides providing a great education, Syracuse was also the place where Tessa met her husband, Brandon, who was a member of the Syracuse Orange Football Team. They live in Dothan with their English Bulldog, Otto.

Tessa grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia and has always felt like she needed to head “further South.” She and Brandon (and Otto) are excited to call Alabama their home. When she’s not working, you can find her reading, taking Otto on long walks, watching a good football game (usually involving the Pittsburgh Steelers), enjoying a great cup of coffee, learning to cook, attempting to motivate herself to workout, and most importantly meeting the great folks in the Wiregrass. If you ever have a story idea, or just want to say “hey,” you can email her at tessa@wtvy.com.

Just The Facts
Birthday? February 20	Hometown? Fairmont, West Virginia
Alma Mater? Syracuse University	Number of kids? 0
Number of siblings? 2 younger sisters, Brea and Jenna	Number of pets (and names)? One very spoiled English Bulldog, Otto, named after the Syracuse University Mascot Otto the Orange
When did you join WTVY? August 2011	What's the word that best describes WTVY?Amazing (the people, the talent, the professionalism, the quality)
What's the best thing in the Wiregrass? The people. Everyone has been so welcoming since we have moved here.	What scares you? Mice and rats
What are your hobbies? Traveling when possible, learning to cook, watching sports (especially football), reading, taking long walks with my husband and Otto	If you could only watch one TV program, what would it be? Besides WTVY News, definitely The Golden Girls. I'm addicted!
Who is your favorite actor/actress? Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock	What is your favorite movie? My Cousin Vinny
What movie do you never want to see again?Young Guns (because my husband watches it every time it's on TV)	What toys did you play with as a child?Barbies!
As a child, what did you want to be?A plastic surgeon or a fashion designer	Do you embrace technology or run away from it? I embrace it up until the point it causes me headaches then I throw it away.
Do you text message? Absolutely... too much!	What/who's on your iPod? Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney (I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC!)
What or who was your last Google? Matthew McConaughey (to get the spelling of his name... and just to look at him!)	Do you have any hidden talents? I can sing (no matter what my husband says), and I'm getting a knack for interior decorating.
What's your guilty pleasure?Sweets! Anything sweet... and coffee!	Dream Vacation? We had an amazing time on our honeymoon in Aruba. I would love to go back there and ultimately go to Fiji!