Christina Montoya is an El Paso native and is a proud alumnus of Vista Hills Elementary, Desert View Middle School and Hanks High School.

She left El Paso to attend the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and Theater. She appeared in numerous theatrical productions and was active in the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

After graduating from USC, Christina appeared in several commercials and Los Angeles theater productions. She has been a performer most of her life, but found her true desire was the news.

During college, Montoya held news internships at KABC and CBS, Inc. in Los Angeles. After graduation, she worked as an editorial assistant at KNBC and a freelance reporter for Palmdale Cable News and City TV in Santa Monica. She worked as a reporter/assignment editor at KVIA in El Paso before joining the News Channel 9 team in October of 2002. 

The Texas Associated Press has honored Montoya with several awards in the past for stories ranging from spot news to general assignment reporting. She most recently was awarded 2007 Best Reporter by the Texas Associated Press, Division 3. Montoya was also honored in 2007 by the Texas State Teachers Association with a prestigious School Bell Award for her investigative coverage of controversial vendor contracts in the El Paso Independent School District.

Montoya and her husband, Robert Halter, have a 2-year-old son, Jacob Tomas Halter. They are expecting their second son in November of 2007.

When she's not hanging out with the family, Montoya enjoys dancing, swimming, reading, and cooking in her spare time. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Kern Place Association. Montoya also loves animals, especially her chocolate Labrador, Charlie. 

Christina focuses on consumer stories for News Channel 9, as well as covering El Paso County Commissioners Court and other county issues.

You can email Christina at cmontoya@ktsm.com.