Smith joins The Millerton News as staff reporter

HARLEM VALLEY — Kayla Smith, 28, was born in Wassaic and grew up in Amenia. She always showed a love of writing through her high school years at Webutuck and college years at Dutchess Community College.After graduating from DCC, she began writing for the Taconic Press newspapers. Her passion for the community and helping others to share their voices made the job an incredible learning experience.Smith has always understood the importance of local news and spent her time with the papers developing an awareness of the issues important to smaller communities.When the papers shut down, she took the opportunity to try something new and moved to Niagara Falls. There she worked as a property manager at the historic Jefferson Apartments, just minutes from the falls.For three years, Smith worked with more than 80 tenants and truly loved the interaction of a centralized community of residents.While the move was ultimately a rewarding experience, the lifestyle of living in a small community beckoned both her and her fiance, Darryl Gangloff, to move back home. Gangloff, also originally from Amenia, and Smith are happy to be near their families and loved ones again.They currently live in Millbrook and appreciate the calm and tranquility that come with living in a smaller community.Smith is truly honored to once again be a part of the communities that helped shape her growing up. She finds working for The Millerton News to be a privilege and looks forward to giving back to the towns which have given her so much.