Faith Welch – Greene Gazette

Day 2

By Faith Welch

Day Two was fun! Not only did we get our assignments and get to have some amazing lectures; we were able to go out onto campus and exercise the lessons we’ve been learning about and putting them all together to formulate a package. Also…we were able to go to the TV room for the first time and hear ourselves on the mics in the podcast room, which was so much fun!

My group’s assignments consist of:

A video and text package on the “Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds: The Power of Indigenous Language in Contemporary Art” exhibit at the Zuccaire gallery. One of the most interesting things about it was that it was not open to the public yet, so we got a sneak peak into what’s to come soon. Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds isn’t just an art show; it’s a powerful reminder of how language holds culture, memory, and identity. Centered on Indigenous artists working with Algonquian languages spoken across Long Island and the Northeast, the exhibition explores how creative expression can help keep these languages alive.

Our second assignment was to go Stony Brook’s hospital and do a text story on the new announcement about how the Stony Brook University School of Nursing has been selected as a State University of New York (SUNY) Regional Nursing Simulation Center, one of only three in New York State. We spoke with the nurse practitioners, professors, the dean and even students. Through that, we learned that Stony Brook will receive a total of $20.5 million that will be used to create a new simulation center at Stony Brook that includes the latest simulation technologies to help train more nursing students and enhance the overall experience of nursing education.

Our final assignment which is being done tomorrow is a text piece about the Ditch Weekly. The Ditch Weekly is Montauk’s first-ever youth‑run, weekly print newspaper; created and published entirely by middle and high school students from the East End. Launched in summer 2024 by East Hampton High School students Billy Stern, Ellis and Teddy Rattray, and Harry Karoussos, it’s written, edited, produced, and distributed by teens aged 13–17. In an era where digital journalism is so popular, The Ditch Weekly stands out as a rare and enjoyable return to print journalism, powered by the next generation.

After all of the hard work, we went to the TV studio and learned alot of cool things about podcasting, and we got to spend some time in the booth.

Lastly we had a relaxing end to our night as we headed to the LaValle stadium and enjoyed Moana 2 at Stony Brook’s movie night.

Blending Creativity and Curiosity: Gabrielle Sanders brings passion and empathy to journalism

By Faith Welch
Greenport High School

Gabrielle Sanders has always existed in the in-between, a place where creativity meets logic, where introversion meets growth, and where the sciences and the arts dance together in harmony.

The 17-year-old rising senior at Roosevelt High School wants to use the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists to explore how her many interests can intersect and how storytelling can be a bridge between them.

“I feel like journalism is an art form that can be used in powerful ways,” Gabrielle said. “It helps people learn things they wouldn’t otherwise know. It can bring awareness, expose truth and make a difference in communities.”

That belief inspired her to apply to the Greene Institute. Though she’s relatively new to journalism, Gabrielle is already a member of her school’s newspaper club and helped develop a journalism class.

She sees this summer as a chance to deepen her skills and discover what a career in media might look like. “We don’t really learn journalism in school,” she explained. “So I saw this as an opportunity to explore something that’s not usually offered.”

Sanders has many passions, from music production to marine biology, and she doesn’t believe in putting herself in a box. Instead, she’s drawn to the ways journalism can combine disciplines and allow for creative expression. “I love that journalism can involve writing, music, science, storytelling — all of it,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be one thing.”

“I feel like journalism is an art form that can be used in powerful ways,” Gabrielle said. “It helps people learn things they wouldn’t otherwise know. It can bring awareness, expose truth and make a difference in communities.”
– Gabrielle Sanders

Her favorite classes include music theory, biology and creative writing. Her interests spill into her free time, where she enjoys drawing, producing music and learning about the environment.

Outside the classroom, Gabrielle participates in a range of extracurriculars. She’s part of her school’s student government and National Honor Society. She even performed in a majorette event for Newsday during a local band festival.

Despite her confidence today, Gabrielle said she hasn’t always been outgoing. “When I was younger, I was very shy,” she said. “But being in different social environments at school helped me learn to talk to people and open up.” That self-awareness and empathy are qualities those close to her admire.

Gabrielle’s mother shared some warm words describing her daughter: “She has been a blessing. Gabrielle is kind, courageous, not afraid to attain what she wants, and I couldn’t be prouder. She’s ambitious, loving and a force to reckon with.”

While she doesn’t have a specific media figure she looks up to, Gabrielle is excited to discover new voices and perspectives during her time at the Greene Institute. She’s especially interested in cultural journalism. “Culture is something that connects everyone,” she said. “It helps us learn about each other and how we experience the world differently.”

In five to 10 years, Gabrielle envisions herself in a career that combines logic and creativity, whether that’s journalism, tech or something yet to be discovered. No matter the field, she hopes to keep learning, creating and connecting.

“If someone were to write about me,” she said, “I’d want them to say I can adapt, that I’m someone who steps out of their comfort zone and understands people.”

New exhibit examines language, culture of Long Island’s Indigenous communities

By Faith Welch
Greenport High School

Indigenous language and culture have come alive through art in a new multimedia exhibition at Stony Brook University’s Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery.

“Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds: The Power of Indigenous Language in Contemporary Art” officially opens Sunday, July 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a special reception featuring a drum processional and welcome remarks by guest curator Jeremy Dennis of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. The show features the work of 24 Indigenous artists who incorporate Native languages into contemporary visual forms such as beadwork, painting, digital art, and sculpture to explore memory, resistance, and cultural survival.

“This exhibition has been years in the making,” said Karen Levitov, director of the Zuccaire Gallery. “It’s about how Indigenous artists are using language — not just to preserve culture, but to continue evolving it in powerful, visual ways.”

Levitov said the idea grew out of conversations around Indigenous language revitalization on campus. “At a time when many Native languages are endangered, this show asks: how do we support artists who are using language not only in their work, but in their daily lives?”

Dennis, a 2013 Stony Brook alumnus, curated the show and contributed artwork of his own. “My inspiration came from the amazing work already happening at Stony Brook around Indigenous language and cultural revitalization,” he said. “It’s an incredible honor to return to my alma mater and contribute in this way.”

A central theme of the exhibition is the connection between Indigenous language and land. “Language encodes entire worldviews — relationships with time, land, ancestors,” said Dennis. “Contemporary art becomes a space where those relationships can be reactivated — not just in words, but in gesture, form, and symbolism.”

The exhibit includes archival maps, documents, and texts from Stony Brook’s Special Collections to provide historical context. One standout piece is a large map marking the original thirteen Indigenous tribes of Long Island. “It’s meant to be a visual land acknowledgment,” Dennis explained.

Visitors are also invited to interact with the show by adding Post-It notes with phrases written in Long Island Algonquian languages. “That evolving wall installation invites participation,” Levitov said. “It reminds us that language is not static — it’s living, spoken, and shared.”

She emphasized that the show is both personal and communal. “These artists are telling stories that have been historically silenced, and they’re doing it through language, texture, sound, and color,” said Levitov. “It’s emotional. It’s political. And it’s deeply human.”

“Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds” runs through Nov. 22 and includes several public events, including an artist panel on Sept. 11, a Kelp Farmers presentation in October, and a Native American Heritage Month celebration in November. Summer gallery hours vary; beginning Aug. 25, the gallery is open Monday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m.

These scenes from the “Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds” exhibit offer a preview of the work of 24 artists from around the world. Photos by Faith Welch

Mics, Camera, Action!

By Faith Welch

Day 3 was so enjoyable and definitely the most interactive day by far!

I woke up in the morning so excited to learn something new, and I definitely did. We all strutted down to the TV room in our suits, blazers, and dress-to-impress wear.

First things first, we had an amazing conversation with Nicole Sganga, a former member of the Greene Team. Sganga is a CBS News homeland security and justice correspondent. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports for all shows and platforms. She was an amazing person to hear from, and she really dove deep into the vulnerable parts of journalism, and interviewing people on their hardest days, and being able to connect, and to be authentic.

Next up we got straight into anchoring, reporting, camera work, tele-prompting, and more! The first thing I did was report, it was fun, but definitely a bit nerve racking as well. But I really enjoyed it! My favorite role was definitely directing the floor, being able to give direction, and having a voice meaningful enough that my suggestions, like moving the camera up a bit, or telling the anchor to sit up, are actually implemented because of the role I held. I enjoyed that because my true desire is to do everything I do in perfection; not meaning everything is perfect, but to do my best to get it to as close to perfection as possible. I’m very thankful to Anjali for mentoring me through this process.

After the TV room and a melancholy lunch, we headed to News 12! We learned a lot about the process of how everything gets on air, and the editing, and graphics. It was a really interesting experience! We also got an exclusive view of the broadcast room that I see on my TV every day, which was really cool!

Then we headed back. When we got back we had dinner, and then we headed to the dorms and played some card games with our chaperones, Melanie and Anjali, which was so fun!

Now, I am TIRED!!! And tomorrow is a long day of work and editing, talk to you then.

My First Blog Post at SBU

By Faith Welch

Today’s my first day on the Greene Team!

So this morning I arrived at what most would call “right on time,” but to me I was extremely late; considering check-in times ranged from 9 AM to 11 AM and I arrived at 10:57 AM… Thanks Mom.

Anyways, within the first 30 minutes, we got caught in a downpour of rain. I really wish I had brought my umbrella from my room at that moment because I could have squeezed water out of my jeans, but hey, it was still fun!

Lunch was a nice experience. The food was good, I’ve never had college food before, but Stony Brook University raised my expectations for sure. My favorite was definitely the sweet potato fries. Layla and I almost got lost at lunch, though. Still, I’m really enjoying the program so far.

It’s currently 3:30 PM, and I’m really interested in what I’ve learned so far, but I’m having trouble resisting the sleepy nature of this cold, dark room. At 4:10, I’m starting to think that maybe there’s a future in being a photojournalist. I use these values and steps in my Instagram stories and posts almost every day.

That’s all for now, because I know my family is waiting to see my first blog. See you after dinner 🙂