Few on the Spotlight staff has been both a reporter and editor for all four years of their high school career– this all changed when Dana DiGiovanni entered the Spotlight. With her intensive knowledge of InDesign and two-year reign as editor-in-chief, Dana has certainly set an impressive tone and standard for the remaining Spotlight staff.
Dana started out her freshman year as a staff reporter, but soon became co-editor of the Our World section. She was the sole Our World editor in her sophomore year and gained experience learning about what it takes to put a successful paper together. By her junior year Dana earned the coveted position of Editor-in-Chief and held the position through her senior year. “Princess Dana” has surely made a lasting impression here at the Spotlight, and she’ll certainly miss all the laughs she’s shared along the way.
“My favorite memories in journalism were after three o’clock gossip sessions in the pub lab, hackey sacking, and Carl Azuz,” Dana said. “I’d like to thank Kylie, Cody, and Ashley for sticking these four years out with me as a team. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Spritzer for never letting me actually quit and putting up with my foul language.”
Even after repeatedly putting the paper together in the ninth hour, Dana still had time to participate in many activities. She was involved with Key Club, Varsity Club, Spanish Club and National Honor Society. She was also a member of the field hockey team, and she managed the boys lacrosse team this year.
Aside from school, Dana enjoys watching “Breaking Bad,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and “It’s Always Sunny.” When she isn’t watching Netflix, you can catch her hammocking, listening to music, or piercing her ears. She is also quite the ukulele player, coffee lover, traveler, and concert enthusiast.
Leaving the halls of Southern Lehigh is bittersweet for Dana as she turns her back on four years spent at the Spotlight — and with Mrs. Spritzer. “Mom,” “Spritz,” or “Marlo,” Mrs. Spritzer will be missed dearly.
When asked if she has any advice for underclassmen, Dana said: “Don’t take yourself too seriously, make those around you laugh, and try not to worry about things that aren’t in your control because you are exactly where you need to be.”
In the fall, Dana will attend the University of South Carolina where she will double- major in International Business and Spanish. She looks to the future with an open and relaxed mind, and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her.
Setting newspaper records with her time and editorial experience, Dana has left quite the legacy here at the Spotlight. Her presence in the publication lab will be missed, but we know she is off to do amazing things at USC and we wish Dana the best of luck!
