Two University of Missouri graduates have been appointed to staff reporter positions at the Fulton Sun in recent weeks, and they have been getting acclimated to Fulton and greater Callaway County as they start their respective journalism careers.
A May 2015 graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Taylor Malottki received a bachelors of journalism with an emphasis in health and science writing. She also obtained minors in English and economics.
During her five-year collegiate career, Malottki wrote for the Columbia Missourian, Unearthed and worked as a science-journalism intern at the university's SciXchange program where she honed her skills in multi-media. Malottki is from Platte City, and she joined the Sun's staff right after her graduation in May.
"As she begins her newspaper career at the Sun, Taylor will explore and grow her skills in the new aspects of community journalism, and she will be actively engaged in photography, page design, social media and website management," Sun editor Rick Kennedy said.
In her free time Malottki likes to dance blues, East Coast swing and salsa with her friends from the Mizzou Swing Society.
"I was overjoyed when I got the call telling me I was hired," Malottki said. "It was the day I reached the summit of one of my biggest mountains and I look forward to what the Sun has in store for me."
Stone graduated in December 2014 from the University of Missouri in Columbia with a bachelors of arts and science. At MU, her studies focused on journalism, science and agricultural journalism and sociology. She also obtained a minor in Spanish.
Stone interned briefly with The Mix 92.7 as an event photographer and monitored the station's Facebook page. She wrote for KBIA 91.3, an NPR affiliate, and reported for a journalism class collaborating with KOMU 8 Goes Green.
Stone is from Burr Ridge, IL., a southwest suburb of Chicago. She is excited to get to know the community by attending events and meetings, and to step up to the challenges that come with being a full-time reporter.
"I'm ecstatic to start my journalism career with a great staff at the Sun. I know I've got big shoes to fill with the departure of two talented reporters - Brittany (Ruess) and Megan (Favignano) - but I'm up for the challenge," Stone said.
"Entering a news reporter's world with the constant pressure of deadlines, fast-paced environment and long hours is a formidable and admirable vocation, and I am confident Jessica will work hard to achieve success in her new role," Kennedy said.
In her off time, Stone said she enjoys kickboxing classes, playing with her puppy, visiting her parents at the Lake of the Ozarks, watching wildlife shows and investigative crime reporting shows and corny sci-fi/horror movies.
Stone and Malottki lived on the same floor in a residential hall as freshmen at the University of Missouri, and they took a few journalism classes together.
"We are pleased to have Taylor and Jessica bring their enthusiasm and skills to the Sun. I look forward to their professional growth and seeing great things from them in the future," Kennedy said.
Of recently departed reporters Ruess and Favignano, Kennedy said: "I was privileged to work with both Brittany and Megan for a short time at the Sun, and I congratulate them both on moving upward to new and challenging positions in larger media markets. The Sun and its readers benefited greatly from their talents and contributions over their combined three-years of service here. They are two outstanding individuals, and I believe they will achieve much success in their respective careers in the years to come."