Seven Sayville High School journalism students, who are regular contributors to the High School newspaper The Current, accompanied their advisor Jillian Makris to Hofstra University for the Long Island Press High School Journalism Awards.

Schools from all over Long Island (both Nassau and Suffolk) attended the luncheon, sponsored by the Long Island Press. In addition to approximately 200 students present for the ceremony, there were also officials from local businesses such as Long Island Compost, Farrell Fritz Law Firm, United Way, NYSUT, Lifetime Photography, RIT Printing, and Crown Trophy.

 Months prior to the ceremony, the Sayville journalism students submitted their individual articles that represented the Sayville High School newspaper in the competition. These submissions were judged by a panel comprised of professionals: Jed Morey, Publisher of the Long Island Press; Evan Cornog, PhD, the Dean of School of Communication at Hofstra; David North, Award-Winning Journalist and Broadcaster; Beverly Fortune, Executive Producer of Advertising at Long Island Press. There were also journalists present that had worked on the New Yorker staff.

 Mrs. Makris and the seven students who attended the ceremony had all submitted articles for consideration in the competition.

 “Throughout the evening,” Mrs. Makris said, “Sayville came away with four awards! The girls were very excited about their accomplishments, as I am very proud of their success.”

Congratulations go to all the newspaper staff, but especially to the following:

1. Sarah Elsesser: Best Fashion Feature for Fashion Forward - 3rd Place

2. Kathryn McCurdy: Best Environmental Coverage for Dirty Business - 1st Place

3. Olivia Coley-Bishop: Best Opinion National for R.I.P. Freedom - 1st Place 

4. Kathryn McCurdy: Best Social Commentary for The Lying Lions - 1st Place

All of these articles can be found and read in the issues of the 2011-2012 The Current.

To view more about the Journalism Awards, go to: