Six journalism students have been selected as newsroom interns for the summer of 2025 through MDDC’s Reese Cleghorn Internship program.  Funding for these internships was made possible by Betty Osborne, the Delaplaine Foundation, the Goldseker Foundation and The Nutting Family Foundation, and many individual donors to MDDC, including former staffers of the Herald-Mail who contributed to the Jim Schurz Intern Fund.

The interns were selected from a pool of highly qualified applicants.  The intern selection committee, comprised of Andrea McDaniels of The Baltimore Banner, Ann LoLordo, Tom Linthicum of MDDC Press Foundation, Walter Middlebrook of The Penn State University, Diana Sugg freelance journalist, Robert Long of Gannett, Molly Spence of The Baltimore Sun, and Tom Ferraro reviewed more than thirty initial applications, which included a personal essay, published clips and educational and professional references.  The committee narrowed the field and conducted a panel interview with each candidate. Each intern will be treated as a professional working journalist at his or her host newsroom, with the expectation of generating 35-40 published clips and real-world experience during their 8-week paid internship.  As part of the program, interns participate in a one-day briefing on how to get the most out of the internship.  MDDC will also hold its popular “Into the Newsroom” series, which brings together reporters, freelancers and interns from MDDC member organizations for skill building training sessions.  Interns will also be partnered with mentors, who will offer guidance outside the newsroom and coaches who will focus on writing skills.

The and professional references.  The committee narrowed the
field and conductedidate.  on writing skills.The interns are (in alphabetical order): Adam Denn Ursinus College; Michael Howes, University of Maryland; Aline Behar Kado, University of Maryland; Kat Mauser, James Madison University; Sofia Montoya-Deck, Hood College; Tavon Thomasson, Morgan State University. 

 

Adam Denn is a sophmore at the Ursinus College who will intern with the News Journal. Adam studied Journalism and Creative Writing while also interning as a Writing Intern at The Swimming World Magazine and Sports Editor at Ursinus student Newspaper. Adam has a budding passion for journalism, and one of his references remarked that “Adam is an extraordinary journalist and is a great asset to our editorial team. He works excellently as an individual and his performance as a key member of our editorial team has proven that he works effectively in a team environment”.

Michel Howes is a senior at University of Maryland who will intern with The Herald-Mail. Michael studied Journalism while working at The Diamondback. He has a passion for journalism, and one of his references remarked that “Michael is currently our wrestling beat writer for the winter seasoning, meaning he is tasked with covering over 200 programs across the D.C. area. I know the beat was in good hands when Michael sent me a memo well before the season even started, listing multiple in-depth, interesting story ideas.”

 

Aline Behar Kado is a senior at University of Maryland who will intern with The Baltimore Banner. Aline studied Journalism while also working at The Diamondback. She has a passion for journalism, and one of her references remarked that “Aline has shown extraordinary work ethic and professional attitude this semester, in my class and in work she has done assisting as a T.A. with another professor’s law and ethics class and in work she has done on the data staff at the campus’ dominant news publication.”

Kat Mauser is a junior at James Madison University who will intern with The Baltimore Sun. Kat studied English (with an endorsement in journalism and pre-law track) while also working at The Breeze. She has a passion for Journalism, and one of her references remarked that “Despite Aline coming to James Madison University as an education student, she found her way to The Breeze, where she quickly development her skills and enthusiasm for the profession while proving her reliability. Within her first year, she rose to become a news editor and then reporter last summer.”

Sofia Montoya-Deck is a junior at Hood College who will intern with Frederick News-Post. Sofia studied Communication Arts while also working State Farm. She has a passion writing and journalism and one of her references remarked that “Sofia is a rare student. She works hard and has a strong understanding of deadlines. Her attitude is always positive and she works seamlessly with her fellow students.”

 

Tavon Thomasson is a senior at Morgan State University who will intern with The Afro. Tierra studied Multimedia Journalism while interning with Forbes. He has a passion for multimedia journalism and one of his references remarked that “Tavon immediately displayed hunger to learn as well as a desire to wade in to tackle tough stories since first enrolling in reporting and writing classes.”