Mount St. Mary’s set to graduate 508

(4/29) The Emmitsburg News-Journal is proud to recognize five writers and editors who will be graduating this month and going on to do great things. Mount St. Mary’s University will celebrate it’s 208th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 15, to honor all graduating undergraduate and graduate students, four of whom have utilized their talents for the News-Journal.

Lydia Olsen has written for the News-Journal for all four years of her college career, and has held positions as a Four Years at the Mount writer, creative writer and assistant editor. She was also a leader in Office of Social Justice at the Mount, as well as a Veterinarian Assistant at Catoctin Vet Clinic in Thurmont. The psychology major will be joining the Jesuit Volunteer Corps North West, to be a Transitions Specialist in Seattle, Washington.

"This position will allow me to serve individuals with serious or terminal illness prior to their need for hospice care," she stated.

The News-Journal’s sports writer, Brian Vogelgesang, will be graduating with a degree in philosophy and hopes to find a job in sports public relations in Pennsylvania. He has been contributing to the News-Journal for the past year, worked at the Center for Student Diversity and Office of Social Justice at the Mount, and interned for Special Olympics Maryland.

Katie Powell, this year’s senior Four Years at the Mount writer and editor, will be graduating with a health science degree and has applied graduate programs in gerontology and occupational therapy. She will be working as an Activities Assistant in a nursing home this fall.

"The Emmitsburg News-Journal has pushed my outside my comfort zone in order to help me find my voice," she stated. "Writing articles each month on topics I am passionate about has helped me remember why I love writing. Driving out to cover spontaneous news stories has helped grow my confidence, and is an experience I will always cherish."

Jules Mastromatteo has been the English editor for the past year, and will graduate with an English degree. During her time at the Mount, she helped start the Women’s Club Basketball team, worked as an 89.9 WMTB radio show host and was a student worker for the English department. Though she is unsure about her exact plans after graduation, she wants to "do something extraordinary."

Last but not least, our local sports writer, Michael Donahue, will be graduating from high school and going on to study engineering at the University of Maryland - College Park. He began writing for the News-Journal in July 2014 and has his first article, on an Emmitsburg youth baseball team, hanging in his room.

"Practically a child, I was given an opportunity many will never have," he stated. "This opportunity to write for my town's newspaper is something I will cherish and carry with me for the rest of my life."

Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2016, and the best of luck to you! The News-Journal is a much better paper because of your hard efforts and dedication to excellence.