The 2014 Long Island Press High School Journalism Awards Program was a resounding success, culminating in an awards gala May 28 at Hofstra Universityâs John Cranford Adams Playhouse that hundreds of high school students, faculty and parents will undoubtedly remember for a long, long time.
The annual awards competition and gala, now in its seventh year, recognizes outstanding high school journalism in print, video and online including reporting, writing, design, artwork and illustration across more than 100 individual categories, ranging from Best Arts Feature to Best Sports Video. Special awards are also presented for Story of the Year, Student Journalist of the Year, Advisor of the Year and Newspaper of the Year.
With more than 1,250 entries from more than two dozen school throughout Nassau and Suffolk, the 2014 contest was unprecedented in its scope and quality of submissions. As always, Long Island Press staffers spent weeks judging the entries and were impressed by the studentsâ depth and caliber of work.
CLICK TO VIEW PICTURES FROM THE 2014 LONG ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM AWARDS GALA
âSubmissions ran the gamutâfrom colorful arts and entertainment coverage and insightful enterprise and investigative articles to emotionally moving first-person accounts of everything from experiencing the death of loved ones to what itâs like to come face-to-face with racism,â wrote Press Editor in Chief Christopher Twarowski in a special letter to students published within a program booklet distributed at the event. âStudents provided in-depth analysis of such hot-button national issues as Common Core and Obamacare to First Amendment rights and the NSAâs surveillance programs. They wrote about the environment, tackling such topics as the contamination of our drinking water supplies to energy efficiency and the importance of recycling. They wrote about government, sports, fashion. They wrote about food, technology, health, humor, the prom and war.
âFrom breathtaking photo spreads and smart, gripping headlines to elements such as layout, flow, placement of graphics and artwork, use of pull-quotes and headlinesâentrants in the design categories were likewise impressive,â he continued. âSo were studentsâ video submissions, which included powerful public service announcements about homelessness, bullying and sexual acceptance, among other issues.
âOf course, all of these topics, no matter how far-reaching, have local consequences and ramifications, and students did an outstanding job documenting them,â added Twarowski. âTheir coverage of ongoing Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts to the pressures faced by teenage girls to fit societyâs unhealthy interpretation of beauty added perspectives all-too-easily ignored by some local news outlets.â
The gala kicked off with an introduction from Press Associate Publisher Beverly Fortune, followed by opening remarks by Press Publisher Jed Morey and a keynote address from Evan Cornog, Ph.D., dean of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University.
It would have not been possible, of course, without the continued tremendous support of its sponsors: Hofstra University, The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Farrell Fritz, PC and Long Island Compost.
The annual awards gala was once again emceed by award-winning journalist, broadcaster, Press Club of Long Island board member and Long Island Press High School Awards Program Coordinator (and all-around superhero) David North, who interspersed the hundreds of studentâs names and their respective honors with knee-slapping jokes and observations.
âIce Cream Review,â he declared, upon announcing the winners of a food criticism category. âMust have been a tough assignment.â
His infectious charm, passion and wit kept the night moving along smoothly, occasionally handing the microphone over to a host of celebrity presenters for truly moving remarks from Dr. Cornog, Long Island Compost President and CEO Charles Vigliotti, Farrell Fritz Director of Marketing Lorraine Sullivan, Bethpage Federal Credit Union Education Counselor Tommy Barbosa and Associate Vice President of Community Development Robert Suarez, and Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, who also cracked jokes and had the crowd laughing.
Press staffers also had their turn presenting, with inspiring words by Press Managing Editor Timothy Bolger, Press Senior Editor Spencer Rumsey, Press Staff Reporter Jaime Franchi, Milieu Magazine Lifestyle Editor Sara Fingerman, Press Multimedia Reporter Rashed Mian and Morey Publishing Graphic Designer Jon Chim, whose short but powerful remarks were sure to invoke at least a few starry eyes from those in attendance.
âArt and design are critical components of a truly great story,â declared Chim. âPhotographs and masterful illustrations can elevate any article and make them works of art in themselves. Exceptional design work can streamline a story, directing the readersâ eyes and hearts to its most impactful and emotional elements.â
âA great news story is not merely an account of how, what, where, when and why,â explained [#Tomothy] Bolger. âYes, it contains all of those elements, but a great news story is truly so much more. A great news story captivates the reader from the first syllable. A great news story shows both sides of the issue. A great news story leaves no stone unturned, serves to inform and incite, and is a catalyst of meaningful reflection and action.
âA great news story affects people,â he continued. âIt is a public service.â
Special awards were dedicated to Aura Diaz, the 16-year-old mother from Brentwood who was murdered in 2005 and Andrea Rebello, the 21-year-old Hofstra junior who tragically lost her life in a shooting last year.
Twarowski dedicated the contestâs Investigative & Enterprise Journalism Award to two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Robert âBobâ Greene, who besides being a force of nature out in the field, was also a powerhouse for good in the classroom and a longtime teacher at the university. The legendary Newsday editor was also instrumental in founding Hofstra Universityâs journalism and communication programs.
âOne of the things I love most about journalism is its power to illuminate,â proclaimed Twarowski. âTo expose secret truths. To shine a light on all the dark places. To disinfect, and drown out darkness.
âInvestigative journalism strips away the veneer put forth by those seeking to disinform the public and repackage reality toward their own ends,â he continued. âIt unmasks the shadowmakers, holds them accountable, and amplifies the voices of the voiceless. The best causes change.
âHofstra University has long been a proponent and incubator of this special craft,â he explained. âThese walls were in fact the longtime home of two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Bob Greene, known as the father of investigative team reporting. Besides helping found the nonprofit Investigative Reporters and Editors, he spearheaded what has been called the finest hour in American journalismâthe Arizona Project, in which he led a team of volunteers from 10 newspapers to investigate and expose those behind a car bombing that killed Arizona Republic Investigative Reporter Don Bolles. Their resulting 23-part series was published simultaneously in newspapers across the country, and taught Bollesâ killers and future would-be assassins of journalists several powerful lessons: You can not murder a journalist without repercussions. The story will not only continue, but will grow exponentially. If you come after one of us, we will come after you 100-fold. All journalists are family, bound by truth, mission and blood-red ink.
âGreene, a former Newsday editor, is also credited with building and obtaining national accreditation for Hofstra Universityâs journalism and mass communication programs,â continued Twarowski. âA much beloved teacher and mentor, itâs here at Hofstra that he shared his own love of journalism in pursuit of the truth, here he taught countless students the responsibilities that come along with being a journalist, here he honed their skills, unlocked their inner muckraker, and instilled within them the secrets and wonders of this most sacred calling and most hallowed craft.
âIt is only fitting, therefore, that from now on this award will bear his name.â
HEREâS THE COMPLETE LIST OF 2014 LONG ISLAND PRESS HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM AWARDS WINNERS:
STORY OF THE YEAR
FIRST PLACE. Nelson Gomez – Massapequa High School, The Chief
âPearson Publications Probed by Pundits and Professorsâ
SECOND PLACE. Melissa Holzberg – Commack High School, The Courant
âWait, Like, You Totes Sound Like A Kardashianâ
THIRD PLACE. Jenna Rudolfsky – Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âAre Exams Way Off Base?â
STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
FIRST PLACE (FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW). Brianne Garrett – Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
SECOND PLACE. Rebecca Spina – Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
THIRD PLACE. Renjini Antony – New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
HONORABLE MENTION. Melissa Holzberg, Commack High School, The Courant
Â
ADVISOR OF THE YEAR
FIRST PLACE. Walt Fishon – Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
SECOND PLACE. Elyn Coyle – Massapequa High School, The Chief
THIRD PLACE. Christina Semple – Commack High School, The Courant
HONORABLE MENTION. Jodi Kahn, Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
Â
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
FIRST PLACE. Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
SECOND PLACE. Massapequa High School, The Chief
THIRD PLACE. W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
HONORABLE MENTION. Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
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REPORTING & WRITING AWARDS
ARTS FEATURE
1. Haley Zirkel and Siddesh Ramesh
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
â5 Pointzâ
2. Antoine Blythe
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âDespite Box Office Draw, Women Lacking in Filmâ
3. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âTelevision is a Womanâs Worldâ
ARTS REVIEW – THEATER
1. Sam Newman
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âLetâs Murder Marsha is a Killerâ
2. Kennedy Rose
Bellport High, The Clipper
âSinging in the Rainâ
3. Katie Lucey
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âChilly Town with Warm Hearts: Reviewing âAlmost Maineââ
ARTS REVIEW – VIDEO GAMES
1. Gregory Kothesakis
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âHaving A Grand Old Time in Los Santosâ
2. Hayley Zirkel
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âGotta Catch âEm Allâ
3. Kevin J. McCann
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âVideo Games and Violence: Is There a Connection?â
ARTS REVIEW – BOOK REVIEW
1. Brianna Paoli
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âStealing the Heart of Readersâ
2. Mikaela Adwar
Jericho High School, JerECHO
ââMy Beloved Worldâ Reviewâ
3. Catherine Darcy
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âYA novel âDivergentâ Worthy Entertainmentâ
ARTS REVIEW- LOCAL MUSIC
1. Rebecca Spina
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âThe best band you never heard of: Corey Balsamoâ
2. Sam Newman
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âJerichoâs Noteworthy Perform at Carnegie Hallâ
3. Ana Guitierrez
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âLHS Orchestraâs Rock and Pop Concertâ
ARTS REVIEW- NATIONAL MUSIC
1. Rebecca Spina
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âBest band You Never heard of: This Centuryâ
2. Rebecca Spina
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âBest band You Never heard of: Jesse Rubenâ
3. Maggie Colbert
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âVMA-mazedâ
ARTS REVIEW – ALBUM
1. Taylor Kang
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âThe Next Dayâ David Bowie Album Review
2. Renjini Antony
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âNot So Basicâ
3. Kennedy Rose
Bellport High School, The Clipper
âThe Second Law, by Museâ
ARTS REVIEW – FILM
1. Jeff Horowitz
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âFrozen has Disneyâs Warm Touchâ
2. Tyler Baron
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âRussellâs Hustle for the Oscarsâ
3. Muhammad Muzammal
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âA Rousing Adventureâ
ARTS REVIEW – TELEVISION
1. Kevin McCann
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âGiving It All Sheâs Got: Star Trekâs Importanceâ
2. Alexus Haddad
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âSeries Review: The Originalsâ
3. Collin Giuliani
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âGrading The Grammysâ
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
1. Ana Borruto
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âTeen Readers say âYA!â to YA Litâ
2. Renjini Antony
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âThe New Prince of Late Nightâ
3. Eric Mastrota
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âOh, Lordeâ
AURA DIAZ AWARD FOR FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE
This award is named in memory of the 16-year-old mother from Brentwood who was murdered in 2005.
1. Emily Kulesa
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âMovement for LGBT Rights Hits Homeâ
2. Sharon Tasnim Ahmed
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âThe Time Has Come to Proudly Call My Nameâ
3. Lyla Dale
Babylon High School, PantherTales.org
âResiliency: The Key to Successâ
BUSINESS REPORTING
1. Andrea Paredes
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âMall Facelift Brings Eateriesâ
2. Siddesh Ramesh
W.T. Clark High School, Vanguard
âHyperloopâ
3. Joe Fiola
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âAmazon Unveils Drone-based Shipping Service, Seeks to Overcome FAA Hurdleâ
COLUMN – SCHOOL
1. Daniel Bar-Lavi
Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
âDanalysis: The Rambling Manâ
2. Benjamin Senzer
Syosset High School, The Pulse
âStudent Government #3â
3. Catherine Sangiovanni
Commack High School, The Courant
âUnproductive Testingâ
COLUMN – GENERAL
1. Liz Cazan
W.T.Clarke High School, Vanguard
âCrossing the Red Lineâ
2. Maggie Colbert
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âVMA-mazedâ
3. Kate Kozuch
Roslyn High School, Hilltop Beacon
âWhat the Fashion?â
COMMENTARY/CRITICISM
1. Kennedy Rose
Bellport High School, The Clipper
â55 Is Unfairâ
2. Noelia Vazquez
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âSqueezing Into Societyâs Viewsâ
3. Eric Mastrota
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âUrban Outrageâ
ANDREA REBELLO COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD.
This award is named in memory of Andrea Rebello, the 21-year-old Hofstra University junior who lost her life in a shooting last year.
1. Giulia Milana and Marti-Rose Shanker
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âMaking A Difference One Tweet At A Timeâ
2. Joe Fiola
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRising From The Rubble, Massapequa Breathesâ
3. Madison Flotteron
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âCommunity Drives Increase To Help Those In Needâ
BREAKING NEWS
1. Asad Marghoob
Half Hollow Hills High School West, The Roundup
âCarbon Monoxide Poisoning at Legal Seafoodâ
2. Laura Pugliese
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âSyria: Crisis In The Middle Eastâ
EDITORIAL
1. Meghana Rao, Nelson Gomez, Matt Colozzo
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âBlood drive ban on gays discriminatory, wrongâ
2. Vanguard Editorial Staff
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âTrouble for Tsarnaevâ
3. Joe Zappa
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âIn defense of the printed word in a growing digital worldâ
EDITORIAL – NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
1. Jessica Miller
Shoreham/Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âWar on terror starts in our own backyardâ
2. Anne Flamio
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âAccepting All Colors of the Rainbowâ
3. Jessica Vestuto
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âThe Power of American Resolveâ
EDITORIAL – GENERAL
1. Nelson Gomez and Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âSocial NOT-working: The Facebook Dilemmaâ
2. Arman Nasim
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âMiss America?â
3. Joe Fiola
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRising from the Rubble, Massapequa Breathesâ
EDUCATION- NATIONAL ISSUES
1. John Mirabito
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âSciences, math see greater push from governmentâ
2. Anthony Romano
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âCommon app glitch delays deadline, irritates seniorsâ
3. Alejandro Serrano and Lizzy Volavka
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âFinancial struggles making the future not so brightâ
EDUCATION – LOCAL ISSUES
1. Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âPearson Publications probed by pundits and professorsâ
2. Bryan Burrowes, Chris Condon, Nicole Horn & Chris Tursellino
Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Shark Bites
âEducators Rally at School Forumâ
3. Gregory Quist
Southold High School, Sentinel
âGamberg Stars on Two Teamsâ
ENERGY REPORTING
1. Lindsay Dieumegard
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âTeam of engineers to descend on schools in quest for energy efficiencyâ
2. Gabrielle Farb
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âAn Unbelievable Planâ
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
1. Amanda Blum
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âNot So Electric Zooâ
2. Kevin J. McCann
North Shore High School, Viking View
âVideo Games and Violence: Is There a Connection?â
3. Joaquin Contreras
Oyster Bay High School, The Harbour Voice
â1994: Filmâs Greatest Yearâ
ENVIRONMENTAL STORY
1. Jill Hand
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âIs Massapequa Water Contaminated?â
2. Drew Cohen and Evan Silvera
Jericho High School, JerECHO
â5,745,000 Paper Copies a Year at JHSâ
3. Jeff Horowitz
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âHybrids, Electric Cars fail to fully fix environmental drawbacksâ
FASHION FEATURE
1. Jordan Williams
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âStephanieâs Styleâ
2. Amy Kandora
Southold High School, Sentinel
âFashion at the Lost and Foundâ
3. Ryan Dalo
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âRetro Fashion Brings New Life to the Hallsâ
FEATURE – GENERAL
1. Larry Burnham
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âCollege Concerns from A-Zâ
2. Tali Zingman
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âAn Insiderâs Look at Teenagers in the Israeli Armyâ
3. Kelly Granzen
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âHourglass Figure Takes Time out of Bodyâ
FEATURE – LOCAL
1. Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âAn Unexpected Farewell: Reflecting on the Death of Coach Kâ
2. Matt Colozzo
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âDefinition of a Fighter: A personal goodbye to Jake Briceâ
3. Jessica Vestuto
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âVoices of the Past Give Inspiration for the Futureâ
FOOD – COMMENTARY
1. Sammi Stein
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âFood on Instagramâ
2. Giavanna Verdi and Tom Kirby
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âIce Cream Reviewâ
3. Anna Tobin and Judy Mermelstein
Commack High School, The Courant
âTaco Time!â
FOOD- RESTAURANT REVIEW
1. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âA Little Taste of Peruâ
2. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âDiners offer more than just breakfastâ
3. Millena Skugar
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âBurgers Bare it Allâ
FORMAT BUSTER
1. Binita Shah
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âClubs at Clarkeâ
2. Siddesh Ramesh and Hayley Zirkel
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
â5 Pointzâ
3. Aubri Juhasz
Oyster Bay High School, The Harbour Voice
âA Message from the Editorâ
FIRST AMENDMENT/FREEDOM OF SPEECH AWARD
1. Carolyn Rogers
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âSchool Involvement Law Creates Controversial Decisionsâ
2. Rohit Bachani
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âPrivacy Please?â
GOVERNMENT- LOCAL
1. Nicole Lamanna
North Shore High School, Viking View
âStop… In the Name of Safetyâ
2. Emily Feigenbaum
Half Hollow Hills High School West, The Roundup
âIs Christieâs Campaign âWater Under the Bridge?ââ
GOVERNMENT – NATIONAL
1. Siddesh Ramesh
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âA Game of Duplicityâ
2. Fatima Ouedraogo
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âGovernment Shutdownâ
3. Emma La Reddola
Commack High School, The Courant
âThe Truth Behind âObamacareââ
HEADLINE – ENTERTAINMENT
1. Maroon Echo Staff/Andrea Paredes
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âUnbe-weave-able: The Hair-Rising Story Behind Extensionsâ
2. Sam Newman
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âLetâs Murder Marsha is a Killerâ
3. Melissa Holzberg
Commack High School, The Courant
âWait, like, you totes sound like a Kardashianâ
HEADLINE – EDITORIAL
1. Harvinder Bassi
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âA Syri-US Issueâ
2. Catherine Sangioranni
Commack High School, The Courant
âSmoking Hot Trendâ
3. Armon Nasim
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âMiss America?â
HEADLINE – FEATURE
1. Vincent Coghill
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âWinter Blunderland: Snow days cut into school vacationsâ
2. Giavanna Verdi
Shoreham/Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âA Declassified Prom Survival Guideâ
3. Alyssa Goodman
Half Follow Hills Hugh School West, The Roundup
âNo Shave November For Girls! Let it Grow! Let it Grow!â
HUMOR
1. Rachel Hoffman and Lauren Goldstein
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âFuture College Roommate is a Robotâ
2. Mia Trentadue
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âCollege Roommates for Dummiesâ
3. Dan Stahl
Southold High School, Sentinel
âYellow Jacketsâ
HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY
1. Molly Schiff
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âOne Year Anniversary of Sandy: Lessons to be Learnedâ
2. Maddy Gottlieb
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âLending a Handâ
3. Joe Fiola
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRising from the Rubble, Massapequa Breathesâ
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
1. Melissa Holzberg
Commack High School, The Courant
âWait, like, you totes sound like a Kardashianâ
2. Meghana Rao, Nelson Gomez and Matt Colozzo
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âBlood drive ban on gays discriminatory, wrongâ
3. Nelson Gomez and Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âPlan B and FDA decision: what students should knowâ
INFORMATIONAL FEATURE
1. Nelson Gomez and Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âPlan B and FDA decision: what students should knowâ
2. Margaret Colbert
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âPoverty gains prevalence in suburbiaâ
3. Samantha Galina
Commack High School, The Courant
âMirror, Mirrorâ
INVESTIGATIVE/ENTERPRISE REPORTING AWARD
1. Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âPearson Publications probed by Pundits and Politiciansâ
2. Kathleen Konfino
Commack High School, The Courant
âWatch Your Back: Theft on the Riseâ
3. Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRace Reality: how society, not biology, created raceâ
MEDIA COLUMN
1. Claudi Ruiz
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âThe Wrong Pathâ
2. Nicole Lamanna
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âHope For Humanityâ
NEWS STORY
1. Jenna Rudolfsky
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âAre Exams Way Off Base?â
2. Rachel Hoffman, Alanna Levine, and Taylor Kang
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âMolly on the riseâ
3. Catherine Darcy
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âBudget cuts force clubs, sports cutsâ
OPINION- GENERAL
1. Melissa Holzberg
Commack High School, The Courant
âWorth More than a Pictureâ
2. Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRace Reality: How Society, not Biology, Created Raceâ
3. Liz Cazan
W.T. Clark High School, Vanguard
âThe Real Problemâ
OPINION- NATIONAL
1. Rachel Stearns
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âCrayons, Ovaltine and an AR-15?â
2. Jane Murray
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âEmbracing Changeâ
3. TJ Buttgereit
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âTagging Libertyâ
OPINION- POP CULTURE
1. Rebecca Spina
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âA grave faceâ
2. Julie Fishbach
Roslyn High School, Hilltop Beacon
âRole Models in Todayâs Societyâ
3. Paige Sokoloff
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âThe Cyrus Sagaâ
OPINION PIECE- SCHOOL
1. Navi Arneja
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âWaking Up Asleepâ
2. Aubri Juhasz
Oyster Bay High School, The Harbour Voice
âMinding Your Pâs and Qâsâ
3. Jessica Miller
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âNatural Helpers doing more harm than goodâ
POLITICAL/NATIONAL FEATURE
1. Muhammad Muzammal
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âViolence in America: An Incurable Diseaseâ
2. Matthew Wigler
Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
âWigged Out: Down to the Core of the Common Coreâ
3. Ryan Mazzie
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âMilitary an option for those financially strappedâ
PROFILE
1. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âGoodbye, gentle giantâ
2. Christina Panouis and Ciara Gallagher
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âKen-ya Make a Change?â
3. Tayler Bradford
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âA Girl to Admire and Learn Fromâ
Q&A SCHOOL
1. Bryan Burrowes, Chris Condon, Nicole Horn and Chris Tursellino
Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Shark Bites
âA Conversation with Dr. Kingâ
2. Arman Nasim
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âEureka: The True Story of a Young Scientistâ
3. Jessica Caruso
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âJaclyn Gallery: Eastâs Fastest Freshmanâ
REVIEW/CRITICISM
1. Navi Arneja
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âA Force of Expressionâ
2. Samantha Calzone
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âI Wrote This For Youâ
RELIGION/MULTICULTURAL
1. Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRace Reality: How Society, not Biology, Created Raceâ
2. Carolyn Rogers
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âPeaceful Religion Corrupted for Politics and Warâ
3. Lyla Dale
Babylon Jr./Sr. High School, PantherTales.org
âRemembering Martin Luther King Jr.â
SCHOOL-FEATURE
1. Julia Hutchinson
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âStudents struggle for the high school experienceâ
2. Renjini Antony
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âRunning More Than the Classroomâ
3. Dan Walocha
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âNick Kardasis, the Jolly Janitorâ
Honorable Mention
Samantha Peterson Sayville High School, The Current
âMindfulness Battles Stress at Sayville High Schoolâ
SCHOOL NEWS
1. Frankie Tomasso
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âLynbrook Goes âAll Inâ for Class Nightâ
2. Meg Tohill
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âThe Reaping: SADD Fighting Grim Decisionsâ
3. Melissa Holzberg and Kathleen Konfino
Commack High School, The Courant
âBeat the best, become the bestâ
SCHOOL SPIRIT
1. Paige Sokoloff
Smithtown High School East, The Matador
âAttention: Enthusiastic, Fun-Loving Livestock Wantedâ
2. The Courant Editorial Staff
Commack High School, The Courant
âSchool Spirit Back with #Mackâ
3. Shannon Quinn
Southold High School, Sentinel
âA Measure of Spiritâ
SCHOOL CULTURE REPORTING
1. Alanna Levine & Rachel Hoffman
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âChoreo 2014: A Dance to Rememberâ
2. Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRace reality: how society, not biology, created raceâ
3. Collin Giuliani
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âFootball (Anti) Fanatics… The Lack of Support for the HSE Football Teamâ
SCIENCE/HEALTH
1. Matthew Gillam
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âBionic Man Visits HSEâ
2. Danielle Ajodan and Won Jung
Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
âThe Power of Proteinâ
3. Maggie Colbert
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âKeep Calm and Veg Onâ
SOCIAL COMMENTARY – SCHOOL
1. Kennedy Rose
Bellport High School, The Clipper
â55 is Unfairâ
2. Isabella Alessandrini
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âGPA = Giant Pressure to Succeedâ
3. Stephanie Zelenetz
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âThe Syrian Questionâ
SOCIAL COMMENTARY- GENERAL
1. Liz Cazan
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âThe real problemâ
2. Kelly Granzen
Shoreham-Wading River, Wildcat Pause
âSocietyâs Short Tolerance for Short Skirtsâ
3. Mary Mazzie
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âPatronized by my Patronsâ
SHORT FEATURE
1. Ray Epiquin and Savannah Parker-Davis
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âGreat Strides Made by Black Americansâ
2. Emma Cohen
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âThe Trouble with Sochiâ
3. Emma Cohen
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âComing to Schoolâ
SERIOUS FEATURE
1. Tayler Bradford
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âA Girl to Admire and Learn Fromâ
2. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âPoverty Makes It Tough to Make Ends Meet on LIâ
3. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âGoodbye Gentle Giantâ
SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYSIS
1. Grace Segers
Half Hollow Hills High School East, Thunderbird
âTragedy in the Age of Twitterâ
2. Emma Schwab
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âWhatâs All the Buzz About?â
3. Nicole Lamanna
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âForget Diamonds and Dogs. Netflix is your New Best Friendâ
SPORTS FEATURE
1. Matthew Rottler
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âClasen Athletic Star in all Three Seasonsâ
2. Ryan Mazzie
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âJuiced: High School Athletes Put to the Drug Testâ
3. Matthew Rottler
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âSpring Sports Off to Cold Startâ
SPORTS- SCHOOL
1. Zach Pekale
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âMike McTreyâ
2. Evan Schneider
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âNembach Swims for Statesâ
3. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âAfter Decade, Girls Basketball Reaches Playoffsâ
SPORTS- NATIONAL
1. Nicolette Danzy
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âPros Coming Out, But Student Athletes Remain in Closetâ
2. Kyle Galin
Roslyn High School, Hilltop Beacon
âPreview of the Madness of Marchâ
3. Katie Cresser
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âIslanders and Rangers – Keep your Enemies Closeâ
STORYTELLING
1. Arman Nasim
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âItâs Kind of a Funny StoryâŠâ
2. Larry Burnham
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âLooking Backâ
3. Althea Mignone
Southold Jr./Sr. High School, The Sentinel
âChristmas Breakâ
STUDENT ISSUES
1. Gabriel Ajzenman
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âParent Portal Paranoiaâ
2. Claudia Ruiz
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âUnnecessary Requirementsâ
3. Kayla Gonzalez
Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
âGym? GPAâ
STUDENT PROFILE
1. Katrinia Lastra
Bellport High School, The Clipper
âSoccer Star, Cow Lover, and âQueen of the Orchestraââ
2. Arman Nasim
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âEureka: The Story of a Young Scientistâ
3. Danielle Ajodan
Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
âAthlete Spotlight- Josh Namigoharâ
TECHNOLOGY
1. Daniel Stahl
Southold Jr./Sr. High School, The Sentinel
âTech Squadâ
2. Jeff Horowitz
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âHybrids, Electric Cars Fail to Fully Fix Environmental Drawbacksâ
3. Siddesh Ramesh
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âHyperloopâ
TRAVEL
1. Stephanie Moreno, Ganesh Ravichandran and Erin-Marie Deytquiez
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âAround the World in 21 Daysâ
2. Jamie Aranoff
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âPlace That You May Not Know Exist, But That You Shouldâ
3. Kevin J. McCann
North Shore High School, The Viking View
âNorth Shore Abroadâ
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NEWSPAPER DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION & HEADLINE
CARTOON
1. Nicholas Dahill
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âThe Reaping: SADD Facing Grim Decisionsâ
2. Priyanka Algu
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âRed Ink for Red Skinsâ
3. Casey Leach
Bellport High School, The Clipper
âSnowman Crossingâ
CARTOON – ENTERTAINMENT
1. Nicholas Colonna
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âApplause Versus Roarâ
CARTOON – POLITICAL
1. Fabio Rivera
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âThe Debateâ
2. Hayley Zirkel
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âSanctionsâ
3. Jack Burke
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âMedia Programs Young Minds to Unrealistic Standardsâ
CARTOON/SCHOOL ILLUSTRATION
1. Nicole Caico
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âStress Decayâ
2. Priyanka Algu
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âHow to Shape a Well-Rounded Studentâ
3. Jenna Kaminsky
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âLynbrookâs Lethargic Learnersâ
COMIC STRIP
1. Julia Wolniewicz
Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Shark Bites
âComicsâ
2. Alanna Petrone
Oyster Bay High School, Harbour Voice
âSolar Academyâ
FEATURE DESIGN
1. Haley Zirkel
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
â5 Pointzâ
2. Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âCatch-A-Waveâ
3. Tiffany Heravi and Ariella Jahaveri
Great Neck North High School, Guide Post
âOreos Anonymous – The Unexpected Addictionâ
LAYOUT – SINGLE PAGE
1. Libby Berman, Irma Purisic and Elisabeth Dicarmine
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âSpirit Week 2013â
2. Maxx Vogelsberg
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âEInstyleâ
3. Rebecca Spina
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âHeaded Inâ
LAYOUT/SECTION
1. Siddesh Ramesh
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âFeatures, Issue 2â
2. Daniella Weinstein and Ludia Och
Roslyn High School, The Hilltop Beacon
âMagazineâ
3. Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âOliver!â
LAYOUT/FRONT COVER
1. Arman Nasim
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âFebruary 2014â
2. The Chief Editorial Staff
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âJune 2013â
3. Gretchen Walter
Southold Jr./Sr. High School, The Sentinel
âSummer 2013â
LAYOUT/OVERALL
1. Maroon Echo Editorial Staff
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echoâ©âNOV. 2013â
2. Siddesh Ramesh
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âIssue IIâ
3. Staff
Shoreham/Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âNOV. 2013â
NEWS HEADLINE
1. Brandan Lawrence
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âJones Beach Treading Water in Sandy Recovery Effortsâ
2. Jessica Graff
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âNicole Heneveld: lifeâs her stage and sheâs directingâ
3. Meghana Rao and Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âSocial NOT-working: the Facebook Dilemmaâ
NEWS ILLUSTRATION
1. Binita Shah
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âClubs at Clarkeâ
2. Anne Flamio and Nick Dahill
East Islip High School, The Broadcaster
âKeepinâ it Real, Keepinâ it Greenâ
3. Julianna Gortakowski
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âComputer Scienceâ
ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION
1. Kenneth Lau, Kelly Louie, and April Todaro
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âSummer Movie Previewâ
2. Nicholas Colonna
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âJava Jolt!â
3. Joelle Benigo
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âChristmas Cheer or Family Feud?â
PHOTO ESSAY
1. Marcus Croteau
Southold Jr./Sr. High School, The Sentinel
âThe 39 Stepsâ
2. Sidesh Ramesh
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âSenior Dinnerâ
3. Rachel Hirschheimer and Alexis Corbin
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âA Look at Live Newsâ
PHOTOGRAPHY – SERIES
1. Kalleigh Regan
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âOliver!â
2. James Treadwell, Eamonn Lennon, Marvin Pak
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, The Chariot
âHomecomingâ
3. Alanna Levine, Taylor Kang, and Ben Kronengold
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âHumans of Jerichoâ
SINGLE PAGE LAYOUT
1. Giavanna Verdi and Tom Kirby
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âIce Cream Reviewâ
2. Kelly Granzen and Christina Wilson
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âMedia Programs Young Minds to Unrealistic Standardsâ
SINGLE PHOTO
1. Rachel Shuster
Half Hollow Hills High School West, The Roundup
ââTis the Season to Give Backâ
2. Carolyn Rogers
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âSWR Students Fail the Fight of Toxic Senioritisâ
3. Skyler Kessler
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âPowerSchool Parent Portal Paranoiaâ
GRAPHIC ART
1. Brandon Lawrence
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âRace Compositeâ
2. Kyle Brown
Shoreham-Wading River High School, Wildcat Pause
âProm is the Bombâ
3. Kalleigh Regan, Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âOliver!â
SPORTS PHOTO
1. Landon Cooper
Calhoun High School, Hoofbeats
âThe Unstoppable Sharksâ
2. Skyler Kessler
Lynbrook High School, Horizon
âGrossi at LAX Dayâ
3. Sahib Kalra
W.T. Clarke High School, Vanguard
âChampions Once Againâ
NEWSPAPER SPECIAL SECTIONS AWARD
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
1. Corinne Schmidt
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âMy Generationâ
Â
ONLINE AWARDS
ONLINE – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
1. Tim Keuchler
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âKaty Perryâs Album âPrismâ Sure to Roar to New Heightsâ
2. Arianna Scavone
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âJimmy Fallon Succeeds on âTonightââ
3. Miles Essner
Half Hollow Hills High School West, The Roundup
âWinter Movies You Wonât Want to Missâ
ONLINE – PHOTO SERIES
1. Chloe Citron and Evan Silvera
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âEmpowered women of Jerichoâ
2. Kalleigh Regan
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âMr. Massapequa a Big Successâ
3. Brandan Lawrence, Kalleigh Regan, Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âChiefs brave Syosset, Win 49-28â
ONLINE – FEATURE
1. Nelson Gomez
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âSpirit Week: Recapâ
2. Meghana Rao
Massapequa High School, The Chief
âDr. Pepper Photobombâ of Baseball Tonightâ
3. Olivia Milana and Mikaela Adwar
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âStudents Reveal Lack of Knowledge about Marijuanaâs Health Risksâ
ONLINE – NEWS SITE
1. Staff
Massapequa High School, The Chief
TheChiefOnline.com
2. Chloe Shakin, Taylor Kang, Sam Newman
Jericho High School, JerECHO
jerecho.org
3. Staff
Half Hollow Hills High School West, The Roundup
HillsWestRoundup.com
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VIDEO AWARDS
VIDEO – PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Max Wathins, Ryan Cortazzo, Sarah Lane
Commack High School, Public Service Announcement
âPay It Forward PSAâ
2. Brianne Garrett
Bay Shore High School, BSHS News/Maroon Echo
âRoar- An Incusionary Videoâ
VIDEO – NEWS STORY
1. Kristen Hansen
Hauppauge High School, Eagle Watch News Program
âNews Package Life Skillsâ
2. Kristen Hansen
Hauppauge High School, Eagle Watch News Program
âSt. Baldrickâs News Packageâ
3. Madison Flotteron, Sharon Ahmed, Julia Hutchinson
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âHomecoming Weekâ
VIDEO – FEATURE STORY
1. Giulia Milana and Marti Rose Shanker
Jericho High School, JerECHO
âMaking a Difference: One Tweet at a Timeâ
2. Nandini Bissoon, Danielle Flynn & Alexis Gallardo
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âPhantom of the Operaâ
3. Madison Flotteron, Sharon Ahmed & Julia Hutchinson
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âPromposalâ
VIDEO – SPORTS
1. Billy Frielingsdorf
Hauppauge High School, Eagle Watch
âGymnastics News Storyâ
2. Ryan Mazze and Imani Mashee
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âBleacher Creaturesâ
VIDEO – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
1. Andrea Paredes, Nicole Nunez & Tara OâDonovan
Bay Shore High School, Maroon Echo
âThe Fault in Our Starsâ
2. Gianna Barberia
Half Hollow Hills High School West, The Roundup
âAASO: Spreading Awareness of History and Cultureâ
Â