"Follow that ambulance!" That's what 7-year-old Bianca Valenzuela said to her parents when they were at a stop light, as an E-M-S unit raced by. Bianca wanted to know what was happening and told her dad to "chase it" to find out. That's when her mother jokingly said, "She's either going to be a lawyer or a journalist."

Fast foward several years later, Bianca is living her dream. Those who know her best say it's always been her goal to report in her hometown of San Antonio, a city she loves dearly. And at the age of 24, she has succeeded.

"Every day I walk into the station, I count my blessings," Bianca said. "I'm so thankful and so excited to be working with a such a talented group of people. They're like family."

And that's why Bianca feels right at home at KSAT 12. As a general assignments news reporter, Bianca works side-by-side with many of the journalists she grew up watching.

"Jessie Degollado, Paul Venema, Marilyn Moritz, Angela Vierville. They're so finessed, so seasoned, true professionals," Bianca said. "Their hard work is the reason so many people turn to KSAT, to find out about their community."

Bianca first started her career in journalism as an intern at KSAT 12 during her junior year in high school. She then went on to start her own news program in college, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Communications at Trinity University.

In 1999, she got her first job as a reporter in Victoria, Texas. And in six month's time, worked her way up to morning anchor, weekend anchor and weekday anchor, all while continuing her reporting, producing, shooting and editing duties.

"By doing the one-man-band deal, I developed such a respect for every facet of television news," Bianca said. "It takes a great deal of work to get a story to air and with that background and knowledge, better stories are produced."

In her spare time, Bianca enjoys reading, running and teaching catechism to 5-year-olds at her local church. She's says there's nothing more rewarding.

"If I weren't a reporter, I'd be a teacher," Bianca said. "Both of my parents are educators and I have a great deal of gratitude for the profession. They have such a special job, building stronger minds."

And journalism allows Bianca to do the same, teaching the community and informing the public about stories that affect their lives.

"My mother always wanted me to be a teacher," Bianca said. "I have to tell her, 'Mom, in many ways I am, except my classroom's bigger'."

You can e-mail Bianca at bvalenzuela@ksat.com