Denise d ascenzo biography graphic organizer

American television news anchorwoman (1958–2019)

Denise D'Ascenzo Cooke (January 30, 1958 – December 7, 2019) was an American television news anchorwoman at WFSB-TV in Hartford, Connecticut.

She worked there for 33 years (1986–2019), becoming the longest-serving anchor at WFSB-TV. D'Ascenzo was also the longest-serving news anchor at any Connecticut television station.^[1]

Early life and career

Born in Washington, D.C., D'Ascenzo grew up in suburban Rockville, Maryland.

The daughter of Salvatore Joseph D'Ascenzo (1925–2000) and Rita D'Ascenzo, she was one of four sisters.

At an early age, she became interested in journalism: at age 12, she started the first newspaper in her grammar school; she later on became editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper.^[2]

D'Ascenzo was the first person to receive a scholarship from the American News Women's Club, which allowed her to attend a summer journalism program at the Medill School of Journal