Brighton High School graduate and ABC7 Chicago news anchor and reporter Stacey Baca attributes her success to the counsel from her parents and teachers during her time at 27J Schools and beyond. She shares the advice she learned over the years with today’s 27J students.

When Stacey Baca was a student at Vikan Middle School, she got her first taste of what it was like to be a journalist when she contributed articles to school newsletters. The more Stacey wrote, the more she liked what she was doing, and she loved talking to people.

By the time she graduated in 1987, she was a journalist ferreting out substantial stories involving sources from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. She developed strong skills and a sense of self confidence. As a journalist, she knew it was important to be bold, ask questions, yet be polite doing so. 

“I love to talk to people. I could ask to interview anyone I wanted to and knew I could tackle the subject and write a story,” Stacey said. “I knew this was something I wanted to do as a career.”

It wasn’t just her work for the school newspaper that led her to pursue journalism as a career. Her outstanding 27J Schools teachers inspired her through their creativity and exposed her to different subjects which helped her be a better school reporter. She distinctly remembers teachers like Mrs. Gold (English, Mr. Campbell (Psychology), Mrs. Swan (English), and Mr. Bacon (Social Studies).

That perspective and those skills were essential to Stacey’s success as a journalist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and her professional career after college.

After graduation, The Denver Post hired her as staff writer for five years. During that time, Stacey was dating her husband, Todd Gilchrist. He was a United States Naval helicopter pilot. 

Once married, Todd was deployed to a variety of locations, giving the newlyweds an opportunity to see many parts of the nation. 

During their time moving based on Todd’s deployment orders, Stacey landed some rather high profile TV reporting and anchor jobs at stations in Virginia and San Diego which brought her to prominence with people noticing her name and her work. She became known for her relatable storytelling abilities and engaging people in varying circumstances.  

This caught the attention of ABC7 in Chicago which then hired her as a reporter and anchor. It was an incredible opportunity for Stacey, but had a notable drawback. Her husband couldn’t make the move with her as he was deployed overseas for months at a time. They pledged to make the long distance situation work and they did, for nine years. Todd retired from the Navy and joined Stacey in Chicago after this time. 

Even though living apart from her husband for a long time was not always easy, her work kept Stacey happy. She was doing the work she hoped to do even in those early years of learning about the world of journalism at Vikan Middle School back in Brighton, Colo. She was an anchor for the morning shows on the weekends and a field reporter during the week. That schedule and assignment kept her developing a wide range of stories.

“I cover anything and everything,” Stacey said. “For example, the other day I covered a story about a long-time Chicago hot dog stand that was closing. There was a line of local people around the corner trying to get one last dog from a place they held dear to their heart.”

The news industry is a 24/7 business, and this is part of the thrill for Stacey. Every day, she is racing against the clock to cover the latest news story and she absolutely loves it. 

She’s worked for nearly 20 years at ABC7 Chicago and she’s developed a deep connection with her fellow Chicagoans. Stacey is a familiar face her community can count on seeing every Saturday and Sunday morning which makes her a reliable staple in the news business. 

Stacey balances her work responsibilities with giving back to her community. She takes on speaking engagements particularly with students of all ages, telling her story and stressing the importance of getting an education. 

“Education is everything,” Stacey said.  “If it weren’t for the education I received in 27J Schools and college, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Education opened many doors for me with invaluable opportunities.

“When I speak to students, I ask them if they’re really doing their best to learn and push themselves forward, because that drive will determine who they’ll be in life. All phases of a student’s life in school can really impact their future and I just want them to be successful and believe they can be successful.” 

Stacey truly believes it doesn’t matter where one comes from or the situation or place into which  they were born. It may be a struggle to get the resources needed to succeed, but you can’t give up. Those resources are out there. You simply have to be determined and tenacious because success is on the line.

She is no stranger to growing up in challenging circumstances. Her father, Henry Baca, was one of nine siblings who worked on a farm in Brighton picking produce in the fields in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He and his siblings lived in a garage close to what was once North Elementary School. Stacey’s mother’s family also came from a farming background.

Coming from humble beginnings, Stacey’s parents stressed to their children the importance of getting an education as a way to achieve more in life. Stacey still lives by the mantra told to her sisters and brother from a very early age. 

“Do your best,” Stacey remembers hearing her parents tell her over and over. She found that bit of advice to be powerful and critically important. So she tells it to the students she meets, too.

Stacey’s proud of her background and still considers Brighton her home. Whenever possible, Stacey goes back home about twice a month to see her family, many of whom still live there.

“I’m proud to have gone to South Elementary, Northeast Elementary, Vikan Middle School and Brighton High School,” she said. “I believe in 27J Schools because it gave me the rock-solid educational foundation I needed to succeed.”

Stacey Baca seized the opportunities given to her at 27J Schools to become a successful reporter and news anchor who inspires students to try their very best to reach their full potential. We are #27JProud of this 27J Great Grad. #IBelievein27JSchools