New staffers join Cedar County News
HARTINGTON — The Northeast Nebraska News Company has added two new staff members.
Raelynn Schmit joins the company as a graphic designer. Isaiah May will fill many roles with the six area newspapers.
May’s main role will be as a digital advertising executive. His extensive background in the journalism field will also come in handy, as he will also be able to write an occasional feature story and cover other news stories from time to time.
Schmit joined the team in early May, coming from a similar position with the Plainview News.
She and her husband, David, are newly weds, having married in July 2018. The couple lives in Osmond where he is a teacher. They have one dog, Zeke.
Schmit, a Rapid City, S.D., native, has a true love of small towns.
“Small towns are great. They’re family-oriented,” she said. “And there’s always something going on. If there’s a sporting or community event, there’s something to do.”
Schmit is a 2012 graduate of Mount Marty College with a degree in graphic design. Prior to her work in newspapers, she worked as the Communications Director for Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, S.D.
Schmit is the youngest of the family, with one older brother, Ryan. The family, is all Rs, as their parents are Renee and Ray.
Schmit is the youngest of the family, with one older brother, Ryan. The family, is all Rs, as their parents are Renee and Ray. May comes to the digital sales position with a varied background. After a year in Kemmerer, Wyo., as editor of The Gazette, he found a new opportunity at the Norfolk Daily News and then with News Channel Nebraska. That varied background fits in well in Cedar County. “Most jobs in journalism end up being that way. You get to use all your skills, but in the same breath, there’s always something new to learn,” May said. “For me, it’s always been about storytelling. If that’s a live football game, or even a new business story — they all deserve to be heard.” May is a native Nebraskan, s born and raised in Beatrice, and has lived in Norfolk since 2012. In 2014, he won the Nebraska Press Association’s Outstanding Young Journalist award. He married Francie in 2017. She is a special education teacher in the Columbus School District. In their down time, the two enjoy cooking, walking their dog, Lucy, musicals and rooting on the Colorado Rockies. May said he is enjoying his work with the Northeast Nebraska News Company. “I was so impressed, and will continue to be, at the thirst for quality journalism in this part of the state,” he said. “There is really nothing like it, and I can’t be more proud to help serve such a supportive audience.” Cedar County News Publishers Rob Dump and Peggy Year said both new employees have a great deal of ability and will be true assets to the Cedar County News and the Northeast Nebraska News Company.