Writer / Heather Chastain
A Midwestern girl with a passion for journalism has made her home in Avon. Nina Criscuolo is a reporter at WISH-TV. She made Avon her home in April 2014.
Growing up a competitive dancer in Michigan, Criscuolo said it was her pageant competitions that sparked her interest in public speaking and current events. “When it was time for college, I still didn’t know which direction I wanted to go for my career, so I double-majored in dance and broadcast journalist at Columbia College Chicago,” said Criscuolo.
She began her career in Joplin, Missouri, where she met her husband. Then they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Monroe, Louisiana, before returning home to the Midwest.
“We really picked Avon on a whim during a whirlwind house-shopping trip. We loved the community feel we immediately recognized in Avon, yet the proximity to the city. It has been a perfect fit for our family,” said Criscuolo. “Avon really feels like home for me and my family, which is saying a lot since we’ve moved so much over the last decade. Our church, Our Shepherd Lutheran, has been so welcoming, and each person I meet in Avon quickly feels like a friend,” she said.
Those feelings prompted her to request covering stories for WISH-TV in Hendricks County and Avon specifically. “I knew Avon was an active, progressive, positive part of central Indiana that wasn’t getting the attention it deserved in the local news. I’ve never struggled to find things happening here since that time,” said Criscuolo.
Earlier this year, Criscuolo covered the Satori Apartment Vote. “It wasn’t the most feel-good story, but I feel it accurately detailed what the town council and the community were wrestling with. That’s what I’m here for – to allow different people and groups to have a voice and provide the information to my neighbors in a fair, easy-to-understand way,” said Criscuolo.
Her favorite story was when she had the opportunity to report on the Avon High School Roborioles. “That robotics team is amazing. The students have such an amazing future, and teacher Chris Hill obviously loves what he does. I was really happy to show the region what that group is doing,” said Criscuolo.
However, Criscuolo had the tables turned on her when “The Hulk” Lou Ferrigno broke her own personal story during a live TV interview. While Criscuolo interviewed Ferrigno who was in town for Wizard World Comic Con in 2015, he said, “And congratulations on your little …” and touched her stomach.
“Oh, my goodness! What an experience. Meeting Lou Ferrigno made for a really fun morning that February day. He was really sweet and interested in my life and career, so we had a great conversation. I told him I had one son and confided in him that another was on the way. My co-workers, who are some of my closest friends, knew about it, but we had not announced it yet. It became a huge social media sensation and surely made for a fun memory,” said Criscuolo.
Criscuolo and her husband live with her mom, Deb, and their two boys, ages 3 and 1. “Graham and Everett have taught me how to unplug and really live in the moment. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the future of our family!”
