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From the Lion’s Den to Capitol Hill

Kaitlin Bender Thomas, a proud 2021 graduate of Saint Martin, credits her time at the school as the foundation of her journalism career. Reflecting on her experience, Kaitlin shares, “My journey at Saint Martin was so positive because of the amount of support that the faculty and staff gave to students.” It was this encouragement that helped her start Saint Martin’s first school newspaper, Tells from the Lion’s Den, which sparked her passion for storytelling. This initiative not only gave her a platform to elevate student voices but also ignited her love for journalism. Kaitlin also gained valuable professional experience as a Student Associate at Enbridge throughout all four years of high school, further preparing her for future success.

After graduating from Saint Martin, Kaitlin attended Northwestern University, where she graduated this past June with a double major in Journalism and Political Science, with an additional certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. At Northwestern, Kaitlin was actively involved in several campus organizations. She contributed to the Northwestern News Network, the university’s student-run broadcast station, and wrote for The Daily Northwestern, the campus print publication. Kaitlin also held leadership roles as President of Women in Law and Social Media Director for the Black Pre-Law Association. In addition, she was the Vice President of Northwestern’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Beyond her campus involvement, Kaitlin received the opportunity of a lifetime during her sophomore year when she was selected to participate in Medill on the Hill—a prestigious program that placed her in Washington, D.C. for three months as a political reporter. With full press access to Capitol Hill, Kaitlin interviewed lawmakers and covered major political developments firsthand. Reflecting on the experience, she admitted feeling nervous at first but drew strength from the foundation she built at Saint Martin. Her most memorable moment was attending the inauguration of Governor Wes Moore, the current Governor of Maryland. She also had the opportunity to meet Oprah Winfrey, an experience Kaitlin describes as iconic.

Kaitlin’s passion for journalism was ignited at Saint Martin, where she was given the creative freedom and mentorship to launch the school’s first student newspaper. “Having faculty who were not only accessible but genuinely supportive made all the difference,” she reflects. That early encouragement laid the foundation for the driven, thoughtful journalist she is today. Looking ahead, Kaitlin’s future is exceptionally bright—after earning her undergraduate degree, she plans to continue her journey at Northwestern by pursuing a Master’s in Journalism with a concentration in politics, policy, and foreign affairs.