I was born and raised in Mumbai, India but I always wanted a piece of the American dream. At 16, I persuaded my parents to immigrate to Vancouver, Canada and we never looked back. In my senior year in high school, I won the competitive Michael J. Fox. Performing Arts Scholarship. A week after my high school prom, I moved to Manhattan to study Musical Theatre at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy. After graduating, I toured with Theatreworks USA, a children’s theatre company while taking acting lessons at HB Studios in the Village, and working for Spirit Cruises as a singer/performer.
After 9/11, I decided to move to New Jersey and pursue a degree in Journalism. I graduated at the top of my class as Valedictorian with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications from Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC). I wrote for the college paper, The Record, winning several awards including the Student Journalist of the Year 2003, and 3rd Place in the New Jersey Press Association’s Better College Newspaper Contest, 2003. I was featured as an award-winning student in a RVCC cable commercial and marketing campaign. I was awarded the Certificate of Academic Excellence in Communication Studies and a full Phi Beta Kappa academic scholarship to Rutgers University . It was at the School of Communications and Library Information Systems at Rutgers University that I decided that I wanted to work on-air as a reporter. I focused on broadcasting and print editing.
In my senior year, I interned on MSNBC’s top-rated primetime TV show, “Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann” where I honed my production skills while working under some of the top producers and writers from MSNBC. I also developed important professional relationships with on-air anchors Rita Cosby and NBC’s Natalie Morales.
After getting my feet wet in broadcast production my curiosity for journalism led me to explore another avenue – print journalism. I was selected from a pool of 850 applicants for the coveted Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Copy Editing Internship in December 2005. After my MSNBC internship, I successfully completed the rigorous copy editing training program at the Center for Editing Excellence, University of Central Florida, Orlando.
In 2006, I graduated with highest honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey with a degree in Journalism & Media Studies. I planned on focusing all of my energy and talents on pursuing a career as a full-time on-air reporter and news anchor.
In 2007, life took a wonderful unexpected turn when Guy and I became proud parents to Sophia. With a new addition to our Scott family, we were craving a work-life balance and wanted out of the Tri-State area-rat race to enjoy a gentler life. In 2008, we made the move to a beautiful red colonial-style home overlooking the Damariscotta River, in the gorgeous Boothbay Harbor Region of Maine.
Pictured below: Guy and Sophia on her 7th birthday.
Fast forward three years later, Sophia is all grown up now – it goes by so fast! This was one of my favorite memories of our mother-daughter adventure to Monhegan Island, August 2017.
In 2016, almost 9 years after Sophia entered our hearts we were blessed ( and very surprised ) with another addition to our family in Justus Fulton Scott ( now 16 months old). The Scotts are now a formidable foursome and adjusting to life in the express lane with a curious toddler who lives every second of his life to the fullest.
Justus riding the Scenic Cog Railway in New Hampshire with his sister, Sophia. October 2017.
Pictured below: A scene from our Indian feast : Guy Scott, Denise Demeter and Kim Martin ( co-owners of Eventide Specialties), Mim Martin, Sophia Scott .
Justus was taking a nap.
Cody Mitchell, Director of Cinematography
Ryan Leighton, Director, and his wife, Erika Leighton.
Check out my chai recipe, make yourself a double batch and cuddle up in your favorite chair – you are in for quite a journey from Mumbai to Maine.
Copyright Mumbai to Maine 2015 – All photographs, illustrations and graphic designs are Cherie Scott originals, unless otherwise indicated.