Mesquite ISD

Mesquite High School

Class of 2008

Meet Alanna Quillen, a 2008 graduate of Mesquite High School. Quillen earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from UT Arlington and is currently working as a TV news reporter covering the Dallas-Fort Worth area for NBC 5. While in college, Alanna juggled multiple jobs and internships at local news stations, including KEOM 88.5, a local radio station operated by Mesquite ISD. Alanna’s journey in journalism has taken her to a variety of cities across the country, where she has received recognition for her coverage.  

Alanna’s Award-Winning Television Career 

Alanna’s on-air television career began in 2012 when she was named the weekend news anchor and reporter for a news station in Midland, Texas. After gaining valuable experience, she moved to Louisiana, where she reported on elections, politics, corruption, winter storms, flooding, crime and other historical events. Five years later, she accepted a reporter and fill-in anchor position at West Palm Beach, Florida. 

During her time in Florida, she reported on the tragic school shooting in Parkland, President Donald Trump at the Winter White House, and filed field reports through floods and major hurricanes. She also reported on the ground in the Bahamas as a relief volunteer following Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Quillen’s journalism work has not gone unnoticed. Her work led her to earn an award from the Florida Association of Broadcasters in Environmental Reporting and previously received two nominations for the Emmy Award. Regardless of the award and nominations, Quillen says, “My proudest accomplishment is making it back home to DFW to work for a station I grew up watching, alongside people who inspired me to follow this path.”

Favorite High School Memory 

During high school, Quillen was part of the color guard team for the  Mighty Maroon Band. “I had so much fun going to football games, band competitions and summer camps with my friends.” After Friday night home matches, it was a tradition for her and her friends to drive down to the nearest Cici’s Pizza for dinner. 

“Some more of my favorite memories was with my best friend from high school, who is actually still my best friend now. We are grown-ups but can still act just as silly as we did back then!”

Advice from Alanna to Current Students

“Live in the present moment. Part of the journey... is enjoying the journey. You have your whole life ahead of you in high school. Don't feel pressured to have to know everything and have it all figured out immediately but know that manifestation is real. If you want something, keep working toward it. Picture it, dream it, reach for it. Over the years, I was shot down for other jobs I thought were supposed to be part of my life story. But it led me to a dream job I'm proud of. And at 31, I'm certainly not done yet.”