By SUZANNE VALENZA
Ten exceptional seniors graduate from the New Media Communications program this year, and each with unique talents, exemplary abilities, and outstanding character traits. We will miss them at the JerEcho, yet wish them well in their next chapters.
Ashley Chen
For four years, Ashley Chen has reported, edited, reorganized and redesigned our writing, our website and even our classroom! Ashley truly does it all, and always with good intentions and a helpful demeanor. Thank goodness she has trained the next generation of webmasters and editors so we won’t be totally lost without her. Ashley is most proud of her first published article in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune and will fondly remember the strong sense of family fostered in our class. She advises younger members to enjoy the class and not take it for granted. Ashley will attend New York University in the fall, exploring math and computer science.
Thank you, Ashley, for always taking care of the behind-the-scenes necessities that make us flourish! I can’t wait to see how you care for our world as you step out into it.
Ashley Chen
New York University
Caroline Gross
From her first days in New Media as a freshman, Caroline Gross demonstrated her passion for journalism and for taking on tough topics. She developed into an award-winning news reporter and now our Editor-in-Chief. Under her leadership, the JerEcho has excelled, and the New Media team became closer and more supportive. Caroline is most proud of watching her team receive honors at this year’s Quill Awards ceremony, and she will always remember calling the head of the Windsor school when she was reporting on that piece. The safety and support created in New Media has left an indelible mark on Caroline, and she hopes that younger members experience the same. Look out, U Penn, Caroline will join the Quakers next year studying health and societies.
Build your own safe spaces wherever you go, Caroline, with your sincerity and compassionate leadership.
Caroline Gross
University of Pennsylvania
Drew Hecht
As Drew completes his fourth year as a New Media Communications student, he does so leaving a legacy of award-winning sports and news reporting. As a member of the this year’s executive staff, he helped edit and lead the JerEcho to more awards and commendations. Drew appreciates the recognition he received for his reports and values the sense of community we have in our class and the conversations we share. Drew advises younger members to write about their passions, just as he did. Drew is heading to the University of Texas at Austin, where he will major in finance.
Keep building those communities wherever you go, Drew. Your leadership will inspire.
Drew Hecht
University of Texas, Austin
Andrew Lee
Andrew Lee impressed us all this year with his commitment to journalism and abilities to score the important interviews. He is most proud of conversing with the curator of Long Island’s Cradle of Aviation Museum for his NPR Podcast Challenge entry. Andrew enjoyed the satire project and viewing the videos of his peers. He also appreciated the various applications we use and encourages younger members to explore them in depth. Andrew will attend the University of Pennsylvania next year with a possible major in neuroscience.
Keep exploring new endeavors, Andrew, and let the world experience your gifts.
Andrew Lee
University of Pennsylvania
Reesa Lefkowicz
Reesa prides herself on the variety of topics she chose and for how seriously she took her role as editor this year. Our circle times when we discussed current events were extremely interesting to Reesa, and she hopes younger members will also get to experience such moments. Reesa’s advice is to choose topics about which you are passionate, always write professionally, and strive to overcome the nervousness of interviewing subjects. Binghamton University will be Reesa’s next stop, where she will major in business administration.
Find your niche and make your mark at Bing, Reesa. They are lucky to have you.
Reesa Lefkowicz
Binghamton University
Sydney Lesnick
After three years in New Media, Sydney Lesnick is moving on to study communications at the University of Michigan. We will miss her bright smile, positive energy and constant willingness to help. Sydney has published numerous video reports (note Courtside with Coval) and feature articles but is most proud of her work on pandemic plagiarism. Her advice for younger members is to be brave when putting ideas forth because they may lead to a great report.
Keep your positive flame glowing, Sydney, in Michigan and wherever you go.
Sydney Lesnick
University of Michigan
Jessie Lu
Jessie’s favorite part of being a reporter were the opportunities she had to roam around school finding interview subjects for her various reports. She enjoyed the autonomy she experienced to meet and talk with a variety of people. Her proudest accomplishment was being published in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune for her article “Students Stand Up for AAPI Rights.” Jessie suggests that New Media students observe what is going on around them and look for inspiration about what they can investigate. Jessie plans to attend Emory university and will major in psychology with a possible second major in another field she finds interesting.
Keep looking closely, Jessie, and make those discoveries and connections.
Jessie Lu
Emory University
Matthew Manu
Matthew Manu made his mark in New Media, combining his passion for music and movies with his skill as a feature writer. He values collaboration and always did his best to help others and be a team player. Never giving up on oneself or one’s work is a guiding principle that Matthew follows, and he suggests that younger New Media students do the same. Matthew will attend Wheaton College in the fall, where he will begin his studies majoring in business and economics.
Live your truth, Matthew, and it will always guide your success.
Matthew Manu
Wheaton College
Sandi Shao
Sandi has had an impressive journalism career reporting on topics about which she cares deeply. While she is very pleased with her articles and videos about fashion, she is most proud of her article about AAPI discrimination that was published in the local paper. Fun Fridays were a favorite of Sandi’s, as they helped foster community and reduce stress. Sandi advises younger New Media members to work hard to make their reports the best they can be because the sense of accomplishment will be worth the challenges. The Fashion Institute of Technology is lucky to welcome Sandi in the fall as a fashion business major.
Take the fashion world by storm, Sandi, and improve it as you do all your projects.
Sandi Shao
Fashion Institute of Technology
Qi Wang
When Qi Wang joined New Media as a freshman, we all knew she would be a tremendous asset. Her wisdom and commitment were apparent from the start, and she has gone on to write award-winning articles and help make the JerEcho an even better publication. Qi’s proudest moment was interviewing subjects for the dress code article because of how strongly people felt about the topic. She will always remember our circle times when we discussed current events and got to express thoughts and feelings. Qi suggests that younger members say yes to opportunities and try not to be afraid to speak up in class. Williams College will welcome Qi this fall, where she plans to study political science, philosophy, math, and Latin.
Go show the world your power, Qi. Your strength will always make a difference.
Qi Wang
Williams College
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