Lizzy Alspach
Completing my sophomore year this spring, I’m a journalism major and Spanish minor at the University of Maryland, College Park. I’m also a managing editor at The Diamondback, the university’s independent student newspaper, where I edit stories in English and Spanish on topics such as arts and entertainment, sports and state and local news on top of helping manage everyday operations. My internship is sponsored by the Philip Merrill College of Journalism’s Local News Network and I’m beyond excited to use my reporting and editing skills to cover Carroll and Howard counties for the Carroll County Times and Howard County Times! When I’m not reporting or editing, you can find me reading or hanging out with my friends.
Bridget Byrne
I’m from Silver Spring and am to graduate in May from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a dual degree in journalism and government and politics. I’m passionate about infrastructure and local government, and I have been the transportation reporter at The Diamondback since fall 2022. I’m looking forward to reporting in Annapolis this summer for The Capital. When I’m not working on a story, I’m playing with my labrador retriever puppy or reading about American history.
Angelique Gingras
I am to graduate in May from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a dual degree in journalism and history. This summer, I’ll be assigned at the Annapolis Capital through the MDDC Press Association. Previously, I interned at UMD’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and The Washington Diplomat. I spent my senior year reporting for Capital News Service in Annapolis, where I covered the business beat and the Maryland General Assembly, including breaking news from the State House lockdown and the Key Bridge collapse. I am excited to return to Annapolis this summer to report on all things local news. Following my internship, I’ll be going abroad for a yearlong master’s program in journalism at City, University of London. In my free time, I love to dance, read, hang out with friends and travel whenever I can.
Kiersten Hacker
I am to graduate in May from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I studied journalism with a minor in public leadership. I am excited to be interning for The Baltimore Sun through the MDDC Press Association summer internship program. I started my career in journalism covering events, activism, student groups and the COVID-19 pandemic at UMD as a staff writer for the student publication Stories Beneath the Shell. Later I transitioned into the managing side of the publication, serving as editor-in-chief during my junior and senior years. I also gained experience covering the Chesapeake Bay community for the Chesapeake Bay Magazine and reporting hyperlocal news as an intern for Montgomery Community Media. I grew a love for local news, which led me to cover Gov. Wes Moore and Maryland politics for Capital News Service. Reporting on the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session helped me realize my passion for breaking down political issues and their effects for the public. I am looking forward to learning more about Baltimore this summer and delivering important news to the community! When I’m not reporting or writing, I love to sew, make all sorts of crafts and spend time outdoors.
Taylor Lyons
I’m a born and raised Marylander and am to graduate in May from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I majored in journalism and was sports editor at The Diamondback. There, I covered Taulia Tagovailoa’s final season, the baseball team’s recent postseason run and coaching change, and much more. I’ve also previously worked as a high school sports reporter at The Washington Post and as a freelancer for The Sun covering high school and college sports. I enjoy telling stories that provide readers a look into the people and processes that produce the outcomes we see on the field, and I look forward to bringing my passion for sports storytelling to Baltimore this summer. When I’m not at a game, you can probably find me on a golf course trying to (often unsuccessfully) maintain a mid-teens handicap.