Alumni Spotlight – Madison Summers ’12

Susquehannock 2012 graduate Madison Summers is “living the dream” in New York City. “If you had told me at my 2012 high school graduation that I would one day be living in New York City, working for Broadway, and going to the Tony Awards, I wouldn’t have believed it!” said Summers.

Madison is the Communications and Governmental Affairs Coordinator for The Broadway League, the official trade organization for Broadway. The League represents theatre owners and producers from across the country, and it presents the Tony Awards in New York City each year. “I recently watched the Tony Awards live from Radio City Music Hall with the best date in the world, my mom,” she said.

Madison began her journey to Broadway as an involved high school student, participating in volleyball, track and field, and tennis as well as Link Crew and National Honor Society. “Most notably, I served as editor-in-chief of the Susquehannock Courier during my junior and senior years,” said Madison. “I wrote for the York Daily Record’s Teen Takeover program and was active in my local Girl Scout troop for 12 years,” she said. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Madison represented Susquehannock in the Distinguished Young Women competition and placed as a top ten finalist in the Miss Teen of Pennsylvania state-wide scholarship program.

It was during those years at Susquehannock that Madison found her voice in leadership. After graduation, she continued her education at Susquehanna University, majoring in corporate communications with a minor in creative writing. “The service and leadership opportunities introduced to me in high school gave me the confidence to run for president of the Student Government Association at Susquehanna University,” said Madison. She served as student body president at the university, and she was honored to be selected as the student commencement speaker for the Class of 2016.

Madison’s student leadership positions led her to several internship opportunities, including Congressman Scott Perry’s office in Washington D.C., the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and a Time Inc. owned experiential production company in New York City. She also spent a semester abroad, studying in Scotland during the fall of her junior year in college. “It was an exciting time in Scotland as the country was holding a nation-wide referendum on whether or not to succeed from the United Kingdom. It piqued my political interests,” said Madison.

Madison credits her high school teachers for helping support her on her path through college and into the career world. “Mrs. Cieslewicz (now Mooney) entrusted me with leading the Courier staff, and Mr. Lawrence helped inspire my interest in government and public service in his AP Government class,” said Madison. “Mrs. Wilt encouraged my love for reading and writing in AP Literature,” she said.

“Looking back, some of my favorite memories are direct results of making unexpected choices and exploring new opportunities,” said Madison. “My advice to Susquehannock students is to pursue as many interests as possible. It is the time to wear a lot of hats and explore,” she said. “Time flies faster than you think, so take advantage of the many opportunities provided to you in high school. You never know where they may lead,” she added.

Some of Madison’s favorite memories at Susquehannock include riding the fire truck through town with her volleyball team when they were state runner-up champions in 2008, playing tennis doubles with her good friend, Olympian Summer Britcher, seeing the spring musical, and cheering on the Warriors at Friday night football games.

Madison’s father, Mike, and her brother, Chase, are also Susquehannock graduates. Her mother, Jackie, is a long-term Southern York County School District Foundation Director and currently vice president. “I’m so proud to be a Warrior and share a family legacy with them,” she said.

Madison, thank you for making us Warrior Proud!