Two Mepham High School students were honored this week as winners in the first ever Purchase College SUNY Awards for Excellence in High School Journalism.

Current senior Iris Pineda won for her feature profile of school counselor Cathryn Stutzmann in her article titled "New beginnings: Meet the fresh face in guidance." Current junior Sofia Tibaldi won for her Arts & Entertainment article, "GUTS World Tour Review."

"Schools were allowed to submit four entries, one per category, in the areas of News, Feature, Sports, and Arts written by students in grades 9-11" said College Journalism teacher and Buccaneer co-advisor Heather Castellano. She and Buccaneer co-advisor and art teacher Kelly Desmond supported the winners' applications by sending statements attesting to the impact of their stories on the school community.

"Entries were judged according to adherence to accepted journalism practices, the quality and variety of sourcing, and the writing skill displayed," added Castellano.

SUNY Purchase journalism professors, including Ross Daly, associate professor of journalism and the director of the contest, judged the students' entries.

"These young reporters show the impact that good journalism can have on a community,” said Daly. "It’s impressive that they can do this so early in their careers."

Pineda and Tibaldi are invited to attend anawards luncheonat Purchase College. They will have an opportunity to meet and interact with journalism faculty and other student journalists.

Winners who optto attend Purchase College after high school will have their room and board partially funded through a scholarship.

Date Added: 9/13/2024