Congratulations to Budding High School Journalists
Three students from the region were honored for their reporting in the inaugural Purchase College Awards for Excellence in High School Journalism.
The Inaugural Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Purchase College Awards for Excellence in High School Journalism.
Dana Rickens from the School of the Holy Child in Rye won the news category for a well-reported story about construction of a learning center on the Holy Child campus.
Iris Pineda, from Mepham High School in Bellmore, won the features category with a compelling portrait of a new guidance counselor, and Sofia Tibaldi, also from Mepham High, won the arts category for her review of an Olivia Rodrigo concert.
The students’ advisors submitted nominations—Heather Castellano at Mepham and Christina Saraceno at the Holy Child.
Saraceno, director of Professional Learning at Holy Child, praised Rickens’ piece for introducing “the new building to the student community, giving them a chance to understand the significance,” she says.
Castellano, an English teacher and newspaper advisor, noted the details in the article by Tibaldi gave insight into the performance and highlighted things Rodrigo does to make her shows more exciting. She called the profile by Pineda a good introduction to someone important to students.
“These young reporters show the impact that good journalism can have on a community,” says Ross Daly, associate professor of journalism and director of the contest. “It’s impressive that they can do this so early in their careers.”
The winners were honored at a lunch here at Purchase, where they met with members of the journalism faculty.
Residence Scholarships for Local Students
Contest winners are also eligible for partial housing scholarships in the amount of $3,000 per academic year if they choose to attend Purchase in the future.
By design, this award supports a residential campus experience for local students as studies show that those who live on campus tend to receive more support, report higher satisfaction with their college experience, earn better grades, and graduate at higher rates than those who live off campus.
Journalism BA at Purchase
The journalism major at Purchase College is designed to provide students with the intellectual bases and skills to gather, assess, and disseminate information and ideas. This equips students for careers in journalism and a wide variety of other fields, including law, government, business, and public relations.
Students work closely with faculty who have distinguished careers in journalism, including at The Washington Post, the Daily News, Newsday, ABC, and Democracy Now!
Students are offered a central set of skills courses in journalism, electives in specialized areas in a variety of media, and courses that explore the broader context of journalistic practice.
Students also work in the college television studio, and with student publications, such as The Purchase Phoenix and The Beat. Students have landed internships with such varied media outlets as NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, MSG, Marie Claire, and the Daily News.
Learn more about the student publications produced on campus.