“When it comes down to it, it’s really all about the people,” said Ed DiOrio as he sat in the Hempfield Area’s Journalism Lab on September 2nd, explaining his journey to becoming the Westmoreland County WTAE News Reporter.
Born in Hunker Borough, Pennsylvania, Ed was raised in the Hempfield Area School District, where he excelled in extracurriculars including student council, basketball, theater, and journalism. Within this diversity of activities, DiOrio learned to appreciate the qualities of many different types of people. He advised students to get involved, be active, and social throughout high school, making connections and trying new things.
His life after high school consisted of a series of communications and sports broadcasting classes, several internships, and two major jobs on news stations, including his most recent position as the Education Reporter on WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina.
It was during this time that Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, devastating many lives, families, and businesses. He watched his community fall into despair with no electricity, running water, or manner to communicate. This is when he realized that being a journalist really is heroic. “I finally understood why the news was important,” he told us, “People were watching in order to survive.” It was through the travesty of the hurricane that DiOrio realized that broadcasting wasn’t about flashy headlines and breaking news. It was about giving a voice to the people living the story.
He began using his platform to tell the stories of those who lost their homes, those who lost their family businesses, those who lost their hope for the future. “My stories that I did on hurricane coverage, those stories were important, and a lot of people needed to see them.”
Now he has made his way back home, and we are excited for him to share the stories of our community, and more, the people who reside within it. He inspires us to tell the stories that are worth telling.
As the school year begins to escalate, our Royal staff prepares to follow in DiOrio’s heroic footsteps highlighting the students and HASD staff members who do extraordinary things that often go unrecognized.
“Dont be afraid to look at someone who you know has the answer and ask them for help; you look stupider if you go through this without asking questions.” DiOrio emphasizes this point to anyone searching for guidance. “Asking questions gives you a more well rounded perspective,” he says. He reminds students that curiosity is a strength, not a weakness, and it is the foundation of a better, more inclusive life ahead.
Being a hero doesn’t mean having all of the answers, but rather taking the time to step out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to the possibilities and experiences you have yet to discover.
