From 259 Bartley Road to the Avenue of the Americas in New York City, West Morris Central’s own Carley Shimkus is making it big on the Fox News Channel.
Elyse Cuccaro, Editor-in-Chief • December 14, 2023
Photo courtesy of Shimkus’ Instagram page (@carleyshimkus)
Carley Shimkus is an accomplished media personality affiliated with the Fox News Channel. She currently serves as a co-host on the Fox News Channel’s FOX & Friends First. In addition, she often provides viewers with news updates on the channel’s signature morning show FOX & Friends, where she reports on various social media trends, entertainment news, consumer business news of the day, and more.
A proud graduate of the West Morris Central Class of 2005, Shimkus had a wonderful experience as a Wolfpack student. She recalls some of her fondest memories being those of football games, “especially the ones against West Morris Mendham,” and of her time on the student council.
While her interest in broadcast journalism and politics initially sparked from watching the news everyday growing up, her time spent at WMC also served as a catalyst for her future career. “My journalism advisor in high school, Mr. Evans, made such an impression on my life,” states Shimkus. “He was the one that recommended Quinnipiac University, which I ended up going to, which then landed me my first internship, and eventually the job that I have now.”
Shimkus graduated from Quinnipiac University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2009. As a junior student, she secured an internship at Fox News in Washington D.C., completely unaware of the eventual successes that she would come to achieve at the network. “College is an invaluable experience if you select the right internship,” explains Shimkus. “The internships that you choose can be the foot in the door for your future career.”
Almost immediately after receiving her diploma, Shimkus reached out to the Human Resources Department at Fox News with the hope of landing a job somewhere within the network. There happened to be a need for a “Green Room Greeter” at the Fox Business Network (FBN): someone that would pick up the network’s guests for the day and direct them to their designated green rooms. Shimkus eagerly accepted the position. Shortly thereafter, she worked alongside the legendary Don Imus on his long-running morning show, Imus in the Morning. Knowing just how much Shimkus desired to be in front of the camera, Imus presented her with some of her first opportunities to be on air. Upon witnessing her dazzling charisma and undeniable camera presence in action, the network quickly became comfortable with the idea of her becoming an on-air personality, and her career continued advancing from there.
Since she began serving as a lead anchor on FOX & Friends First in October 2021, Shimkus has certainly noticed an evolution in the nature of the program, but also within herself as a journalist. “I find that I am still learning something new everyday, as is anyone who works in anything I believe,” Shimkus states. “I mean, just because of the way the news is now, all of us at Fox have become so much more driven by the news cycle itself and are developing the unique skill of being able to cover more breaking news than ever before.”
For FOX & Friends First purposes, a lot of the breaking news covered on the program occurs when the president travels overseas to a place where there is a time difference, as the show runs so early in the morning. However, there are certain instances where immensely tragic situations occur and both the network’s producers and on-air personalities must work together to give the event the justice that it deserves. “Honestly, having to cover what is currently happening in Israel has been the most difficult for me so far in my career,” Shimkus voices. “I’ve interviewed so many families of hostage victims and just hearing their stories and praying as they’re speaking that they will be with their loved ones again, it’s unspeakable and so heavy. Especially because I am now a mother, it just hits me in a totally different way.”
Back in February, Shimkus and her husband Peter welcomed their first baby boy, Brock Edward. “He has so much personality, it’s unbelievable. His smiles are so big and he’s just the cutest.” While at first fearful that she would have difficulty giving her all to two areas of her life, Shimkus continues to gracefully balance motherhood and her career. “I mean I don’t ever sleep,” jokes Shimkus, “but I get to devote time to two things that I love so much because my early morning schedule allows me to work when he’s sleeping.”
While pregnant with Brock, Shimkus even worked on curating the beloved Fox News Cooking With Friends cookbook. With more than seventy-five homespun recipes from the FOX family, Cooking with Friends is a staple for any kitchen and “would make an excellent Christmas gift.” From easy-to-make appetizers, to budget-friendly mains, to indulgent desserts, fans are now able to bring their favorite dishes from the show to their own tables. “I remember watching the Cooking With Friends segments in high school, so it was surreal when Fox came to me and asked if I wanted to work on the cookbook.” Growing up in a bicultural household with Puerto Rican and Polish-Lithuanian parents, Shimkus sharpened her palette on international cuisine. She now invites fans to try some of her favorite dishes from her youth. “Working on the book was such a wonderful full circle moment that I can only hope that every young journalist is able to experience at some point in their lives.”
Shimkus “is still in awe” that so many of her journalistic dreams have become her new reality, and is profusely grateful for all of the doors that her time at WMC has opened for her. “In my mind, West Morris is just the total package,” says Shimkus. “It’s a school that helps cultivate you as a student, but also as a person as well.”
Be sure to tune into America’s #1 cable news channel every weekday from 4 am to 6 am to see Carley in action!
About the Contributor
Elyse Cuccaro, Editor-in-Chief
Elyse Cuccaro is a junior at West Morris Central. She is beyond excited to continue writing for The Paw this school year as the Editor-in-Chief. Elyse is a three-year varsity cheerleader for WMC and an upcoming captain, a proud participant in Unified Basketball and Track & Field, and a competitive dancer. She is heavily involved in her school and Long Valley community through her academic endeavors as an IB Diploma Programme candidate, service-related clubs offered at WMC such as Highlanders for Humanity and Peer Tutoring, and also as a Girl Scout, a member of the District Student Advisory Panel, and the secretary for Reach Out Non-Profit. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, reading, exercising, and spending time with her family and friends. Elyse knows that she is in for another great year at The Paw and cannot wait to step into such an integral position!
