Jillian Atelsek - Final


The Diamondback, the University of Maryland's independent student newspaper, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The newsroom is housed in a small — and often chilly — cinderblock office above the South Campus Dining Hall.


Former editor in chief Ryan Romano finishes his work while Angela Roberts, an assistant news editor, and Jordan Katz, the social media editor, take a break to play catch with Diamondbread, a stuffed bread slice that has become the paper's mascot.



Before the beginning of the newsroom shift each day, the editors hold a meeting to discuss the stories published from the night before and what's on the budget for the day. Here, assistant managing editor Anastasia Marks and assistant sports editor Ben Cooper prepare for the work ahead.


About 15 editors work in the newsroom every weeknight, starting around 5 p.m. The budget, printed at the beginning of each shift, outlines what stories need to be edited that night.


The newsroom is home to an array of stuffed animals — most famously, three penguins named Hank, Honk and Hunk.


It's occasionally difficult to get work done in the newsroom. Here, Romano tries to re-focus after an intense game of trying to catch M&Ms in his mouth.


Arya Hodjat, a junior journalism and government and politics major, is the paper's managing editor. Sometimes, he takes a break during his shift to complete the crossword puzzle in the weekly print edition.


Leah Brennan, a junior journalism and government major who took over as editor in chief at the end of April, makes edits to a page while preparing the weekly print edition. The editors work a 12-hour shift each Sunday to put the paper together.


The newsroom is cluttered with decorations, included this bulletin board above the sports desk.


Roberts, a sophomore and an assistant news editors, looks over a story about the chaotic student government elections. As one of the paper's most talented reporters, Roberts originally didn't enjoy taking time away from her writing to tend to her editing responsibilities — but they've grown on her as the semester progressed.


Lexus Drumgold, who works as a coder for the paper's website, takes a break from print shift to help Andy Kostka, sports editor, with his computer science homework. 


Romano kicks back and enjoys a banana, his favorite type of snack. 


Brennan downs a Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee to help power her through the shift. She had four papers due this week, and on top of her new editor-in-chief duties, she barely slept.


Brennan and Roberts discuss edits to a page during print shift.


Katz relaxes in the editors' office as he watches a baseball game on his laptop. Surrounding him are blocks that the paper's editors sign and decorate when they graduate — dating back at least 20 years.


Nora Eckert, a graduate student from Wisconsin, recently started as an assistant news editor. She's adapted quickly to the busy newsroom schedule, but often has to pull all-nighters to stay on top of her other work.


Marks and Hodjat watch Jeapordy! The show is a favorite in the newsroom, and comes on at 7:30 p.m. sharp every weeknight shift. 


Brennan and Kostka argue over a baseball story from the night before during the daily editors' meeting.


A block on the wall in the editors' office, signed in 2001. Its tan color dates it; the newer blocks have a fresh coat of white paint.


Hodjat leaves the newsroom after a long shift.

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