Press Day Draws more than 300 High School Journalists in Largest University Outreach Event

Press Day, University Center

More than 300 high school journalists and their newspaper advisers descended upon the University Center and filled the UC Ballroom to join in a lively daylong program that featured the university’s Quill Award competition. The event was highlighted by a spirited panel discussion having to do with “The Media Spectacle.”

Professors Mark Grabowski and Sal Fallica were among eight panelists coming from News 12 Long Island, the Daily News, and ESPN among other media industries.

Paul Thaler, the communications department chair who hosted the event, said, “The panel discussion was energetic and the students smart in their followup questions. A terrific combination, and a remarkable day.”

The event was sponsored by the university’s marketing department. The team of Jessica Liss, the assistant director of events, Trecia Lorrell, associate director of events, and Lauren Bash, events coordinator were responsible for coordinating the multifaceted pieces of this event.

As for the program, panel members took turns voicing opinions and concerns about the rise of sensational news stories featuring the likes of Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus as well as pervasive coverage of the Trayvon Martin and O.J. Simpson cases, events that dominated the news agenda and public discussion. Fallica noted that the panel “was able to address some of the serious ethical concerns that journalist face in the digital age.”

The audience was comprised of students from 27 high schools from the Long Island metropolitan area and appeared highly involved in the day’s events capped by the Quill Awards—a ceremony that recognizes the talents of these young journalists. Some 60 students received awards in 14 categories. “The Horizon,” the Lynbrook High School student newspaper was given top honors as the best student paper of the year.

More than 300 high school journalists and their advisers in the University Center Ballroom for Press Day