Hi, Ashland! Meet Mariah Thomas

At the ripe age of 11 years old, I knew I wanted to become a writer. I always loved reading, and it seemed like a natural progression.

I recorded my dream in a time capsule buried by my fifth grade class in Scottsdale, Arizona. Life has changed quite a bit since then, but that dream stuck.

I’m Mariah Thomas, and I’m a new reporter with Ashland Source. I’ll be focusing on education and workforce development.

A bit about me: I grew up in Arizona, and lived there for 13 years before moving to Helena, Montana. My mom’s family hails from the Big Sky State, and mom wanted to head home, so that’s exactly what we did. I’ve been in Montana with my parents, sister and dogs ever since. 

This May, I graduated from the University of Montana, located in Missoula. I earned a degree in journalism — checking the box for that childhood dream! 

Along the way, I picked up an extra degree in political science, a minor in history and a certificate in Global Leadership. It might be because my parents were both teachers, but I love learning and just couldn’t bring myself to stop with one degree. 

I also led the school’s Honors Student Association, which focused on community service, something that’s really important to me. I was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honors society. I had some amazing adventures interning for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in Washington, D.C. and reporting on domestic violence in Northern Ireland.

Through it all, I wrote for my student newspaper, the Montana Kaimin, and interned at my hometown newspaper, the Helena Independent Record. I loved everything I covered, from politics, to education, public meetings and more. 

But, what I fell in love with most were the chances I received to build relationships with members of my community through telling their stories. 

That’s why I applied for Report for America, a national organization that pairs journalists with undercovered communities. It led me here to Ashland, and I couldn’t be more excited that it did. 

I’ve spent my first week in town trying out all the coffee shops, visiting the stops on the Shawshank Trail and going on runs. Already, the people here have been so kind and welcoming. When I’m not reporting or out exploring, you’ll find me in my kitchen baking some amazing snickerdoodles. 

Moving out here to Ohio from Montana has certainly been a big leap, but I can’t wait to get to work learning the ins and outs of this place and telling your stories.