Staten Island youth gain ‘real-world experience’ through Advance/SILive.com Journalism Immersion program

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island student journalists from high schools across the borough are advancing their skills in community news through a program with the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com.

Through the High School Journalism Immersion program, young people are exploring the world of multimedia journalism from experts in the field — providing an outlet for them to explore their passions, think critically and creatively, and produce content for Staten Island’s community newspaper, the Staten Island Advance. They are also engaging with those who have unique viewpoints and backgrounds that may differ from their own.

“We are proud to offer Staten Island students this opportunity,” said Brian Laline, executive editor of the Advance/SILive.com. “It is so important our youth recognize the importance of local journalism in a community, especially at a time when so many communities in America are losing those local and independent voices. And what makes it so exciting for us is the excitement the students show in covering events and giving their voice to stories important to their neighbors. It is an experience, no matter what career they pursue, that will always serve them well.”

Students in the program, which runs from fall through spring, meet weekly in the newsroom, located at Corporate Commons 3 in Bloomfield.

These meetings are a mix of hands-on work, presentations from experts in the field and brainstorming new ideas.

Staten Island Advance/SILive.com High School Journalism Immersion program — Caroline Diamond Harrison, publisher of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com, greets students during a recent meeting. (Staten Island Advance/Mike Matteo) Mike Matteo

“It is rare to come across an internship quite like the Journalism Immersion program,” said Olivia Treadwell, a senior at Susan Wagner High School. “During the meetings so far, we’ve gotten a ton of real-world experience by learning skills directly from people in the field, and then getting to write and publish our own work after.”

Treadwell continued: “I feel like this program is a great way for young student journalists to amplify their voices, while also gaining preparation for careers in media. There will never be enough cameras or notepads to capture everything happening in the world, but I want to help take steps toward sharing as many people’s stories as I can through participating in the Journalism Immersion program.”

Students also will learn about podcasting, photography and beat reporting.

The ultimate goal of the program this year is to have each student work on various projects, including in-depth pieces and collaborative stories.

Students will have the opportunity to see their hard work published, and will earn a stipend for each published project.

“It is incredibly inspiring to see how smart, engaged and civic-minded Staten Island’s youth are,” said Gail Lubin, content director at the Advance/SILive.com. “The students who participate in our immersion program have fresh ideas, important perspectives and are stepping up to serve their community by telling the stories of their friends and neighbors.”

Nia Turashvili, a freshman at Staten Island Technical High School, said she was seeking a new journalism environment when she applied to the Advance/SILive.com’s program.

“I’ve met a bunch of great people, and it’s a more professional environment, so I am learning a lot about the field that I wasn’t learning before,” said Turashvili.

Some students said they chose the program to continue to spark their interest in journalism.

“I chose this program, because as someone who wants to pursue journalism in college, the Advance has taught me very well about how to understand the logistics of article-type writing and what is important about it,” said Nick Acquilano, a junior at Staten Island Academy. “I encourage anyone who is interested in this field to take a such program like this one.”

The initiative began in 2022 as an e-mentor initiative with Curtis High School. It expanded to an in-person program last year to include students at other schools, including Staten Island Technical High School and Staten Island Academy.

For the first time this year, the program was open to students attending any high school on Staten Island.

The program is led by Cassy Sommer, community news manager at the Advance/SILive.com, and Lauren Lovallo, supervisor of social audience and content for the organization.

“The Advance/SILive.com is so proud to sponsor this program, led by two extraordinary journalists who have led coverage on some of Staten Island’s most pressing issues,” said Lubin. “We love to see the students increase their confidence and skills, and ultimately we’re building a foundation for the next generation of Staten Island journalists.”

Staff members at the Advance/SILive.com volunteer to act as mentors, working with students based upon interests and projects they are passionate about. And one of the driving forces behind the previous e-mentor collaboration with Curtis High School, Cadence Turner, is serving as an adviser for this year’s program.

“Being a part of this program has filled me with so much gratitude, newly acquired skills, and joy in the time since it began,” said Alexa Viggiano, a junior at St. Joseph Hill Academy. “I wanted to be a real journalist for my entire life, and it is simply surreal to finally be meeting in a professional environment to discuss my passion and write about my community. My involvement with the Advance has solidified within me that I would like to write as a career for the rest of my life.”

Here are the Staten Island students participating in the program this year: