Maria Fitzsimons honed her talent at the Northeastern News, Northeastern University’s student-run publication where she worked for two years as a staff photographer. She covered the riots that erupted after the New England Patriots won the Superbowl in February 2004 and was the only photojournalist on assignment who captured the aftermath of a fatal drunk driving hit-and-run. While still an undergraduate, the Associated Press bought and syndicated her spot news photos of the melee, which were subsequently published with her byline around the world.