Our School

Michael Dane ’21, an early graduate from The Catholic University of America in December 2024, has been driven by one clear goal: to break into broadcast journalism. That determination paid off when he landed a job as a reporter and weekend weather presenter at WBOC, a local news station in Maryland.

“I was actively applying to local markets and got the offer from WBOC,” Michael says. “It felt like the perfect place to start.”

At WBOC, Michael splits his time between reporting and weather presenting. Three days a week, he works as a multimedia journalist—pitching stories, filming, editing, and producing his own reports. On Saturdays and Sundays, he presents the weekend weather forecasts, a role that keeps him on his toes in the fast-paced world of live television.

Before WBOC, Michael freelanced at Fox News, where he previously interned on the Assignment Desk in Washington, D.C. “It was surreal,” he says. “I helped log events, used various newsroom software tools, and sent out notes to producers so everyone stayed informed on what was happening in D.C.” He also had the chance to shadow reporters on assignments to Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the White House. “That experience showed me how professionals gather and report the news at the highest level.”

His time at Fox helped him build his media reel—a compilation of his best on-camera work. But his reel didn’t start there. “Before Fox, I interned at DC News Now. That was my first time in front of the camera. It was both terrifying and thrilling,” Michael recalls. “I knew right then and there this is what I wanted to do.”

When Michael arrived as a freshman at Holy Cross High School in the fall of 2017, he brought with him a deep interest in politics and a natural gift for leadership. Throughout his four years on Oronoke Road, he was an active member of student government, committed to serving his peers and making a difference.

Reflecting on his time at Holy Cross, three words come to mind: family, foundation, and faith.

“You always hear people say, especially across the Waterbury area, that Holy Cross is a family,” Michael shared. “Everybody knows and looks out for one another. In terms of faith, I think about our monthly all-school Masses. Keeping faith at the center of our lives is of the utmost importance. And then, on foundation—on an intellectual level—Holy Cross challenged us to be the best version of ourselves. That foundation was critical for college and beyond.”

Through it all, Michael has learned the importance of maintaining high standards and journalistic integrity—especially in today’s politically divided climate. “I want to do my due diligence and keep bias out of my reporting,” he says. “I approach stories through an independent lens, with transparency.”

Still, he values the unique space local news provides. “It’s not as politically driven,” he says. “One day you’re covering a crime story, the next day a neighborhood block party. It brings you closer to the community.