Stephanie Bechara has been with Spectrum News 13 since October 2015. As a reporter, she loves the opportunity to meet new people and put herself in the shoes of others every single day.

Stephanie received her master’s degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Having grown up within a Hispanic household, Stephanie is fluent in both English and Spanish. Stephanie’s father is Cuban and her mother is from El Salvador, meaning she can enjoy both a cafe cubano or an horchata with the same guilty pleasure. Stephanie’s exposure to diverse people with unique stories is what ignites a spark for story-telling. She is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

In August 2017, Stephanie reported on the shooting deaths of two Kissimmee Police officers, Sergeant Sam Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter. She extensively continued to cover the case through the trial of their convicted killer. In the wake of tragedy, the community came together for the families of these two fallen officers and telling their stories is something that will forever stay in her heart.

Stephanie has received awards from the Florida Associated Press for Best Mobile Journalist. She was also nominated for an Emmy with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the Suncoast Chapter. And additionally, Stephanie was recognized for her work on immigrant-related stories by the Central Florida chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

On any given day you may find Stephanie during lunch hour at her favorite restaurant in Osceola County, Nadia’s Cafe. It’s a mom-and-pop shop restaurant in downtown Kissimmee that serves Middle Eastern food. That restaurant reminds her of her roots, as her paternal grandparents are Lebanese. Stephanie enjoys living in the city she reports out of. Stephanie has a home in Kissimmee with her husband Ray and is the proud mother of their baby, Starlett.