“Once a Monarch, always a Monarch,” the mantra describing the alumni who have graduated from Mater Dei High School and their ability to know they can always find a home at the school and among their former classmates. Similarly, those who have left the nest of MD Student Publications can always depend upon their family within the walls of 204, and many acknowledge this, reminiscing in both the skills they gained and the relationships they have built. 

Countless Student Publications alumni now find themselves excelling at the collegiate level and pursuing their talents in the professional world. When looking back at their time on The Scarlet Scroll and/or Crown Yearbook staffs, many attribute their time on these publications when realizing their current successes at the higher level. 

Justice Escobedo ‘24

One of these former staffers, Justice Escobedo ‘24, was deeply affected by being on staff within The Crown Yearbook. Now pursuing Journalism at the University of Oregon, Escobedo notes that his time within the program is what truly fueled this passion.

“It definitely impacted my decision on what I planned to study in college,” Escobedo said. “I already knew going in that I was interested in writing, journalism, [and] photography, but being a part of Student Publications showed me what specifically piqued my interests in those fields.”

Although the knowledge he gained within these disciplines was of great value, Escobedo attained something worth even more than a set of skills. He gained both community and comfort from his experiences and acknowledges the impact and importance of these additions in his own life.

“The sense of community and teamwork that we had in room 204 is something that I really valued, and I know will continue to stick with me even as I go on [even further] past high school,” Escobedo said. “Being a part of the CROWN Yearbook taught me to truly get out of my comfort zone, to try new things, and interact with different types of people.”

Lily Ashworth ‘23

Lily Ashworth ‘23, former Editor-in-Chief of The Scarlet Scroll, is currently pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from the University of Notre Dame. In a similar way to Escobedo, her passion for journalism blossomed during her three years within the publication.

“Student Publications really helped me solidify my passion for journalism and helped me in my decision to pursue it in college,” Ashworth said. ”I am so grateful for everything that I learned from Ms. Howard and the experience I gained through The Scarlet Scroll.”

Now continuing her interests at a more advanced level, Ashworth uses her skills more than ever. Although not necessarily currently working within a newspaper, she finds that many of the lessons she obtained are still applicable to her current endeavors.

“I am now the producer of Notre Dame Television, the student-led broadcasting club on campus,” Ashworth said. “I always fall back on experiences and moments from working with Student Publications to help me while filming and editing [for] these shows.”

Ashworth is a prime example of how with enough passion and dedication, one can continue their interests in journalism, even beyond high school. Ashworth hopes students can also be inspired to continue writing and potentially continue doing it as a career. 

“Journalism and writing is so important for this world, and there are so many great opportunities out there if you are interested in them,” Ashworth said.

Dominique Marchand ‘23

Although, not all alumni who had an immense passion for journalism in high school end up directly pursuing it post graduation. Many turn to other fields which fuel their creativity, but find that the tools they now possess after years on the staff can be used in unique ways. Dominique Marchand ‘23, former Staff Reporter for The Scarlet Scroll, now attends Cosmetology School in preparation to one day own her own salon. She uses what she learned about writing, social media, and marketing to further her career.  

“Student Publications helped me a lot in the aspect of promoting my work and documenting my progress through school,” Marchand said. “[It also helped me when] building a following on my beauty account, and I see a possibility of it helping in promoting my future business.”

Besides the more obvious skills of communication, documentation, and promotion, working in a newspaper staff allows student creativity to flow. Marchand, now pursuing a career that depends a lot on creativity, urges students to use it no matter what career they end up pursuing. 

“Everyone has a creative side and expresses it differently, collaborating with your peers can truly accomplish something beautiful!” Marchand said.

Curran Nielsan ‘22 

Curran Nielsan ‘22 expressed and still continues to express her creativity through journalism as she studies the subject at the University of Washington. Nielsen formerly held the positions of News Editor, Managing Editor, and Editor-In-Chief of The Scarlet Scroll during her years on the newspaper staff in high school. These leadership positions taught her things about herself which she still carries today and motivated her to follow her aspirations.

“[High school] was one of the most ambitious times of my life and truly taught me how to balance my life and how to set goals,” Nielsen said. “It propelled me to want to study journalism and get more involved in my community.”

Nielsen directly saw the benefits of her time within The Scarlet Scroll during some of her first months studying journalism at her university. She noticed how much further ahead she felt in comparison to a number of her peers, and how she was able to set her best foot forward due to the knowledge she already possessed. 

“The interviewing skills I developed in high school have definitely stuck with me,” Nielsen said. “In the first years of my degree I was able to help my classmates who were new to journalism with understanding how to properly conduct an interview and gave recommendations on my favorite tools for reporting.”

Even outside the classroom, when mapping her life after college, Nielsen turns to what she has learned in order to help her navigate the real world. Her leadership and teamwork skills are now even stronger post-graduation. She excels in college and knows she has the ability to face absolutely anything head on.

“It has helped me to grow in confidence with applying to scary and uncertain paths in my future because I know I have the ambition needed to ensure my success,” Nielsen said. “Not only am I applying to jobs in different cities, but I also am applying to the Peace Corps and fellowships that I would have been too scared to think I would do well in had I not developed the motivation to try new things and say ‘yes’ to new opportunities that I developed in Student Publications.”

Brigette Ramirez ‘22 

The final successful alumni interviewed for this article is former Editor-in-Chief of The Scarlet Scroll, Brigette Ramirez ‘22 who now attends the University of Georgia, majoring in Public Relations and Spanish, minoring in Business, and receiving certificates in Sports Media and Organizational Leadership. As she takes classes centered around journalism, she feels confident in her abilities due to her time as a leader and reporter in high school. “When I began my journalism classes at the University of Georgia last fall, I found myself coming into Reporting I with more experience and confidence in reporting and writing than most of my classmates,” Ramirez said. “The countless times I brainstormed and pitched story ideas, conducted interviews and crafted stories using AP Style and journalistic principles [is what]  prepared me.”

Ramirez feels that the students within Mater Dei’s Student Publications program specifically have an advantage over students within other schools due to the real world, hand-on approach. Students get a taste of working with deadlines, teamwork, and leadership and can use these skills to progress in the professional world and become anything they hope to become. 

”To current members of student publications, you have the opportunity to develop skills and relationships through The Scarlet Scroll and the CROWN Yearbook and you really will get what you put into it,” Ramirez said. “If you dedicate your time and effort to learning new things and growing as a writer, graphic designer, and journalist, you can leave high school with skills most people don’t learn until later on in college.”

Above every physical resource students have access to, what truly sets the program apart from similar institutions is the teacher and adviser. Nicole Howard, Adviser for The CROWN Yearbook and The Scarlet Scroll, has obtained countless valuable skills from her time in the professional publishing and advertising world and now passes that onto her students.

“Learn everything you can from Ms. Howard, an amazing resource you have right in front of you,” Ramirez said. ”She knows so much about graphic design and writing and she is willing and wants to help you grow, so take advantage of that.”

As the class of 2025 graduates from the nest of Student Publications, we have no doubt that based on the testimonials of these past alumni, they will also have similar levels of success. We wish the best of luck to all Student Publications alumni now working in the professional world, attending college, and pursuing their interests. Remember once a family member of room 204, always a family member of room 204.

Are you an alumni of Mater Dei’s Student Publications program? What is your story? Please comment to let us know.