Month: July 2025

By Gavin Rivera
Longwood High School

At a young age, Hennie England was launched into the world of photography by her father. Now the 15-year-old Huntington High School sophomore dreams of becoming a photojournalist.

“My dad was very into photography when he was younger, and he’s given me his old cameras,” Hennie said.

When she was about seven, she discovered her father Steve’s National Geographic magazines.  “My dad had a collection of magazines that I was obsessed with as a kid. I thought they were so cool,” she said. Initially she was drawn to the pictures. But eventually she dreamed of working for the magazine and traveling. “At that time I also wanted to be a photographer, so being a photojournalist was my two biggest dreams combined.” 

Growing up with two younger siblings — Behan and Tillie — her household was loud and overwhelming. Hennie said she found comfort in the books and magazines her father had given her. As she grew up, her interest in history and photojournalism pushed her toward cinematography and directing. She enjoys watching  cult classics like “Pulp Fiction” and “Whiplash.”  

Hennie and her classmate and best friend Sophia Curley are currently making a short feature for submission to the Long Island Youth Film Festival in September.

Although interested in film, Hennie is more drawn to history. She has participated in events such as National History Day since sixth grade. Natural History Day is an academic program for middle and high school students to help build their passion for historical research through doing projects. Students choose their topics, conduct research and make presentations such as exhibits, documentaries, performances and plain old term papers. The students’ work is then judged in local and state competitions. 

Hennies topics included the Nuremberg Trials, actress and inventor Hedy Lamar, naturalist Charles Darwin and most recently, the Island Trees vs Pico Supreme Court case. In that 1982 case, students at Island Trees High School in Levittown pushed back on a book ban and were supported by the justices. For her work on that litigation, Hennie won the Mike D’Innocenzo Outstanding Entry on Long Island History Award, given by Hofstra University.

That project was especially meaningful to her. “I became really passionate about fighting censorship,” she said. “So forming my opinion about that and connecting it to current-day book bans and censorship in America were the most interesting parts to me.” 

Hennie’s passion is evident to friends like Sophia Curley. “She’s done amazing work in her school and photography class,” Sophia said. “A lot of the stuff we talk about is usually about politics and current events. She’s always had very strong political opinions but presents them in a way that’s more factual, which is what a good journalist does.”

“I became really passionate about fighting censorship,” she said. “So forming my opinion about that and connecting it to current-day book bans and censorship in America were the most interesting parts to me.”

– Hennie England

Hennie said one of her heroes is Dorothea Lange. “Dorothea is my biggest inspiration for journalism. She’s famous for documenting the Japanese internment camps and the Great Depression. I did a school project on her in eighth grade, and that’s what made me want to pursue journalism.”

Hennie hopes to learn to improve her skills in the Robert W. Greene Institute for High High School Journalists. “My dream is to bring knowledge to the people,” she said, “and learn everything I can through this program.” 

“Being big on opposing censorship, I believe everyone should be educated on what’s going on around them, and I hope to be that teacher.”

By Allisson Paz
Brentwood High School

East Hampton High School sophomore Adrie Quinn is a driven and inquisitive writer with a deep passion for storytelling, writing and uncovering the truth.  

“I see myself as a good person who always tries to do what’s right,” Adrie said. “I always want to know more and find the truth in everything.” 

At just 15, Adrie has already begun creating a path toward journalism, showing a commitment to learning and using his voice to tell stories. 

He has written articles for the two local newspapers, The East Hampton Star and the East Hampton Press. For his school journalism club, he has mostly covered campus happenings. 

His work was recognized by Christine Sampson, the Star’s deputy managing editor and co-director of the Robert W. Greene Summer institute for High School Journalists at Stony Brook University.

“Christine Sampson actually reached out to me directly, asking if I wanted to participate and offering me a full scholarship,” Adrie said.

Adrie said he has been captivated by the power of words, whether it was through reading crime books or staying up late to watch interviews and documentaries. 

“He is always curious and always wants to find the truth,” his mother, Margarette Doyle, said.

“January 6th actually sparked my interest in journalism,” Adrie said. “I remember watching the journalists on the ground reporting fearlessly, despite everything that was going on.” 

Adrie said he finds inspiration in the way journalists could make sense of complex issues and connect with audiences across the world. That early fascination grew into a desire to inform and advocate for others through writing.

Adrie said one of his proudest moments was getting accepted into the Greene summer program. 

“I feel like my love for journalism has kind of been recognized by someone, and I feel like this program can really help me in life,” he said. “I felt like this was an amazing opportunity for me. I also felt a bit nervous because I was going to be at a university with people I didn’t know, but that faded once I actually got to orientation.” 

Adrie said he wants to learn more about video journalism because he’s really interested in hands-on skills like filming, editing videos, using cameras and microphones, and trying out software for editing audio and video. He’s also eager to learn how press conferences work.

“I feel like my love for journalism has kind of been recognized by someone, and I feel like this program can really help me in life,” he said.

– Adrie Quinn

He is especially drawn to research projects, where he can dig deep into a topic and put together complex information. “In a world filled with lies, misinformation and propaganda, I want journalism to be a light of truth to inform and describe, and not be a tool for control, but a tool of knowledge,” he said.

“Adrie is smart, very knowledgeable and is good at research,” his mother said.

The part of journalism that makes Adrie feel most alive is “interviewing people and seeing my work being published.”

By Lisseth Hernandez
Central Islip High School

Emily Soriano, a 16-year-old rising senior at Westbury High School, is walking proof of resilience as she overcomes her lifelong illness to strive for more, from the world of writing to the world of sports.

Throughout middle school, Emily struggled with confidence both at home and at church. 

“I hated church because I didn’t understand what was going on and felt alone,” she said. “I used to feel alone because I had no one to speak to about my feelings, but when I pray to God, I feel an indescribable peace.”

She said being able to pray and express herself without judgment is like a breath of fresh air.

“I have four older sisters, one older brother and one younger brother,” she said. “My older siblings all being in their 30s and my younger brother being eight left me alone. Being the middle child and having such a large age gap with my other siblings always left me isolated with feelings of loneliness. As time passed by I bottled up my emotions and didn’t speak to anyone. When I got to high school and was presented with the idea of a newspaper club, it sparked my interest and motivated me to open up to new experiences.”

Emily is familiar with overcoming adversity.

“I’ve had a heart defect since birth where I have holes in my heart, not flowing enough blood through my body and my heart beat is never at a regular pace,” she explained. “I struggled a lot with doing physical activities due to this.” 

This caused Emily to cut her varsity basketball season short.

“She always found a way to look into the positive side and genuinely pushed through it,” her best friend Natalie Richards, 16, recalled. “She showed resilience and motivated me along with her friends.” 

Emily acknowledges that in the face of this she was met with community. “To my surprise a lot of people from my church came to visit me,” she said. “I never felt such love and warmth, with their words of encouragement. I felt the strength and willpower growing to not give up.” 

Entering high school during this time, she would meet her former English teacher and current newspaper advisor, Ms. Beneduce. 

“It all started freshman year when I had stellar grades in English and my teacher wanted to be an advisor for a newspaper club but there wasn’t really an active one at the time,” Emily said. “So we got the graphic design teacher to be the other advisor, and we basically just got to work with creating a website and posting stories with pictures and getting students to join even if it meant walking about the halls asking people if they were interested.”

Now she’s heavily involved in school and a great extrovert influence to her peers. 

Emily is Class of 2026 president, president/head editor of the newspaper, president of Orchestra 10-12, active in church choir, a volunteer at the school pantry and recently has been outspoken about school silence on immigration and “the involuntary removal of teachers in the district.”

“I also volunteer at the library with arts and crafts,” she added. “At Park Avenue Elementary School and the middle school I help the children with sports like soccer and basketball.”

She’s applying herself further now as she reaches new heights. 

“I applied for the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists to help advance my abilities to be the best version of my writing capabilities,” she said. “I see writing as a form to express my creativity and emotions. I hope to receive knowledge, memories and bonds that I can hold on to forever out of this program.”

By Shirley Jiang
East Hampton High School

Layla Gentles thrives on camera.

The 16-year-old Baldwin High School rising senior uses that to her advantage with a TikTok account devoted to the high school, called Baldwin High Talks, and a personal Instagram, which she used to promote her campaign for reelection as president of the high school’s student government. 

Layla started Baldwin High Talks after she noticed that other high schools had shade accounts, or unofficial accounts, about a school. She wanted to bring Baldwin High School into the spotlight, posting interviews, sharing students’ college commitments and information about board of education elections.

“I remember seeing shade accounts from other middle schools and high schools like Holy Trinity and it inspired me to create one for Baldwin,” Layla said. 

Her TikToks receive on average more than 9,000 views.

As for her Instagram account, @Thegentlespush, a word play on Layla’s last name, she has shared motivational quotes and information to encourage others to vote for her. And it may have just helped. She won re-election as student government president for 2026 after serving in that role last  year.

She was recommended for the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists by her advanced placement English language and composition teacher, who usually suggests that one student apply each year. 

Layla was initially hesitant, but after seeing the option to attach videos, she submitted clips of her public speaking, theater performances and social media because it “doesn’t hurt to try.” 

Moreover, Layla just loves connecting with people.

“I don’t think I have a social battery,” she said. “I’ve been complimented on how well I can talk to different types of people all at the same time. I can get everyone to connect and not even realize it because I’m just genuinely talking.” 

“I’ve been complimented on how well I can talk to different types of people all at the same time. I can get everyone to connect and not even realize it because I’m just genuinely talking.”

– Layla Gentles

Layla said she can always find the “vibe” in every room but acknowledges that not everyone is open in the first few moments of meeting. 

She recalled a quote from a calendar her mother, Sanika Gentles, gave her that stuck with her. The date was Aug. 1, 2023.

“What makes you great also f**ks you over,” Layla said with a laugh.

“Even though most of the time it’s an advantage,” she said about being outgoing, “it’s not always everyone’s cup of tea. You have to learn to turn it on and off at the right time.”

Layla’s friend Mia Smith described Layla as “very passionate when it comes to helping others, especially in our Baldwin community. She’s very intelligent and is always ready to enlighten someone on a topic that she finds interesting and worthy of being shared.” 

Layla is also an inspiration to everyone around her, Mia said. “She always uses the quote, ‘If someone tells you ‘No,’ you asked the wrong person,’” and it helped me to continue pursuing things that I do.” 

Layla loves to listen to music, go to New York City, read, debate—she’s also the head of the school’s debate panel— participate in DECA, and most of all, have genuine conversations with others. 

In the future, Layla hopes to work in marketing, public relations or the law. 

“I like hearing stories because it’s all knowledge,” she said.