By Allie Butuc
Northport High School
Although often described as quiet and reserved, rising Northport High School senior Heily Sandoval has found her voice through journalism.
By reporting on politics, public health and other major current events, she hopes to inform others and tell stories that matter.
Heily, from East Northport, is attending the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists to expand her knowledge of reporting and “learn what it takes to become a successful journalist.” While she has already written articles for her school’s newspaper club, she hopes the program will give her a realistic look at the profession and the challenges journalists face everyday.
Her passion for journalism began years ago while spending time at her grandmother Aracely Sandoval’s house.
“My grandma has a collection of newspapers dating back from the 1980s and early 2000s,” Heily said. The newspapers sparked her curiosity about the stories. Her grandmother explained the importance of journalism, sharing words that have stayed with Heily ever since. “The important work that journalists accomplish is what gives a voice to those who have none,” her grandmother told her.
Those words inspired Heily to pursue journalism and eventually write stories that inform others. She has covered topics including dangerous online challenges facing teenagers, the spread of bird flu on Long Island and the possibility of an ICE detention center coming to Long Island. Through her reporting, she hopes readers become more informed while also learning to recognize bias in the news.
Although she enjoys covering a variety of topics, Heily hopes to one day report on American politics. “I’d like to show others my unbiased work of either the achievements or new policies that our government makes,” she said.
Besides journalism, Heily enjoys reading and riding her bike around her neighborhood. Whether she is reading To Kill a Mockingbird or spending time outside, she values activities that help her relax.
Heily has faced personal challenges. At the beginning of ninth grade, she said “anxiety made everyday activities, including eating meals and talking about my interests, difficult.” Through therapy, she learned techniques to manage those fears and gradually regained the confidence to continue pursuing her goals.
Her older cousin, Heidi Sandoval, said Heily’s determination stands out even when she doubts herself. “She may come off as shy at first, but [she] has shown great courage to overcome these challenges,” Heidi said. “Heily pushes herself to do things out of her comfort zone, and it makes me and others proud of her and her abilities.”
Today, Heily said the encouragement she receives from her family and teachers motivates her to keep striving towards her goals.
“The fact that many people, whether it’s my teachers or my family members, are rooting for me gives me reasons to complete my goals, apply myself to new things and do more than what’s assigned of me because there are many people who think highly of me and want to see me succeed in the future,” she said.
At the Greene program, Heily hopes to strengthen her reporting skills and prepare for a future covering American politics.
“Since American politics can become polarized and conflicting,” she said, “I’d like to tackle these conflicts head on and strengthen my abilities to overcome the difficulties that come with writing about American politics.”