A new writer has joined the Mercer Island Reporter. Megan Managan took on the position of education reporter this month, while former Education Reporter Elizabeth Celms moved on to city reporter.

A communications graduate of Washington State University who grew up near Bellingham, Wash., Managan is happy to be working “back on this side of the mountains.” Before moving to the Eastside last month, Managan worked for the Lake Chelan Mirror, a weekly newspaper with a circulation of approximately 3,000. One of two writers on staff, the WSU graduate covered everything from city news to sports to school board meetings. The latter beat, Managan said, was of key importance in the Chelan community.

“Like on Mercer Island, education is very important in Chelan. Parents always want to know what is going on and how district programs will affect their kids’ futures. [Education] is the apex of the community,” she said.

Managan has already begun to acquaint herself with the Mercer Island School District. So far, she said, everyone who she has met has been very welcoming.

“The Mercer Island community is very friendly. It’s been easy to go up and talk to people,” Managan said.

In her free time, Managan enjoys exploring the Seattle area, reading and traveling. During her final year at WSU, the journalism major spent a summer interning for an online entertainment magazine in London. This experience, in particular, helped the young journalist build confidence.

“I was the only person from the Western United States in the program and didn’t know anybody when I arrived. It was about proving to myself that I could do this job,” she said.

The 23-year-old also loves sports. Her dream assignment, she said, would be to cover the Olympic Games one day.

“I’ve always said that if I had the opportunity to cover an Olympic event, that would be the most amazing thing of all time. I’m a big Bob Costas fan.”

With tickets to attend the 2010 Winter Games in British Columbia, her dream could become a reality. But until that day, Managan is happy to cover the smaller stories of Mercer Island.

“I just like getting to hear the different stories people have. It’s amazing the different things people do that you wouldn’t know about until you get them into a conversation,” she said.