Zeydi Guerra – Greene Gazette

Third Day: Broadcast Dreams

By Zeydi Guerra

I’ve always wanted to do something on camera. Hearing the 3..2..1 go gives me the biggest thrill ever. It doesn’t matter what it’s for, if I’m getting ready to do a song, an interview, or even a school announcement, those words are the words that I want to hear for the rest of my life.

The day started off like the rest, The breakfast, was THE BEST MEAL OF THE DAY. I will forever continue to talk about How much I love the eggs because they remind me so much of an Ihop breakfast.

This breakfast is one of the best that we’ve had all week. I would have to say this one was probably my favorite one. I loved the French toast sticks plus the potato things were delectable. and obviously THE EGGS. I LOVE THE EGGS!!

My favorite part of the day was getting one step closer to one of my biggest dreams of all time. When I was younger, I would always point out the influential people in my life, ones that I would see on tv screens, and say “I want to be them one day.” One of these people was a woman named María Celeste Arrarás. She was an anchor on Telemundo, and little me enjoyed it so much. I loved seeing her face, I loved hearing her voice if anything, I knew I wanted to be sitting in the big anchor chair.

The second I sat down in that chair, I knew I felt as if I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life. In a sense, I basically was. I love broadcasting. Throughout the entire experience, I remembered those who have told me that I have a voice for TV, and I’ve always remembered the little girl who has dreamed of being in the room where the camera is pointing at you, giving you your script. I truly felt as if I had healed a part of my childhood, one that I can never replicate. With this, I knew this is exactly what I wanted to do. This is my career. That was my entire purpose anyways, to find out if I truly wanted to do this for my career. And the Greene program definitively made me realize that it IS. This is MY scene.

Afterwards, it was off to News 12! I was so excited because its a map I’ve only ever seen on my screens and now I would be where the magic happens!! It was one of the best places I’ve ever been. Plus, I got to spend it with the people I love the most (THE POWERPUFF GIRLS!! (ft. Gavin, I’d say he’s probably mojo jojo or something..)

You already know what time it is! Pictures!

New Day, New The Strokes song! Day 2

By Zeydi Guerra

Did you know I love the strokes? As I headed into the second day of the Stony Brook program, I had such an awesome breakfast!! LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS IS. The eggs were shockingly better than I expected them be. I enjoyed the pancakes swell, overall I give it an 8/10 rating!! And of course, It wouldn’t be a real morning if we weren’t talking about politics. (Talk about a classic meal!)

And afterwards immediately got to listening to my favorite band ever. The Strokes, in my opinion, are the best band ever. I did my college essay on this band, and I can definitely say that this band saved me. Everything in my life is a The Strokes reference. I mean? You Only Live Once, right? (I really hope someone gets this). On a serious note, I cannot live without the Strokes. They make my entire day and honestly is keeping going throughout this entire program. I could talk about the Strokes all day, once someone gets me started, I will NOT stop…It’s one of my favorite things to talk about. When I went to my first baseball game, which was a Mets game, I kept making refs to the Strokes because of how much I love the band. I become so annoying when the strokes are mentioned or when I can make a ref to the band. I feel like this band and I have a stronger connection than I have with actual people. I am actually listening to the Strokes as I write this…

Continuing, we took a nice field trip to the veterans home here on LI! It was such a cool place to be, especially because we are writing a story on the home! It was pretty cool. I was the one doing the interviews, and those people were the best people to talk to. Mark and Chuck’s pov’s and their stories were so interesting to listen to, they’re both war veterans and have both been shot. I got to hold a real Purple Heart (thanks Chuck!) and afterwards came home and talked about it!! Best believe an experience that cool has to be talked about to its fullest extent.
Afterwards we went to MOVIE NIIIIGHT!!! We watched Moana 2, and me and my cutie, Sorbs, did some networking and got A LOT of free stuff! Then it was back to the dorms and sleeping time!

And yet again: photos!

Trading one challenge for another: Weber’s switch from baseball to politics

By Zeydi Guerra
Hempstead High School

On the cusp of realizing his baseball dreams, Ray Weber made the dramatic switch from the baseball field to pitching for a New York State senator.

Weber is serving as Sen. Anthony Palumbo’s director of community affairs, but what many don’t know is his past in baseball.

He described his experience working on a competitive team and getting his start into baseball in his youth. This expanded his horizons and he went on to play professionally. He played at the University of Albany as a right-hand pitcher, showcasing his skills to the world — but he still had a craving for more.

After playing for the university, Weber moved on to playing for a summer team named Trenton Thunder, part of the MLB summer draft leagues. This area of the league specializes in showing off players who are ready to be drafted into the ranks of bigger household-name teams. Weber said he was fortunate enough to be included — he was even able to play with some very popular players.

At a news conference with the Greene Team, he recalled those days — and friends — fondly.

“I get to watch TV and see a lot of my former teammates on TV playing baseball,” Weber said. “So, I’d say seeing them succeed now, it’s a pretty cool feeling, being able to text someone on TV.”

Although his career was on the up, Weber had some conflict with his path.

“It’s tough to make the major leagues,” he said. And through this realization, he would find another passion and make the switch of a lifetime.

Ray Weber now serves as State Senator Anthony Palumbo’s director of community affairs.
Greene Team Photo

Weber traded his uniform and baseball cleats for a business suit and dress shoes, leaving baseball to get involved in politics.

“I got an internship with Cong. (Andrew) Garbarino through a friend of mine, actually through baseball, who had worked for the congressman in D.C.,” he said. “Just working in D.C. for a few months, I realized I loved it. I wanted to stay down in D.C. with the congressman.”

It was love at first sight when it came to working in politics. Weber said.

“I stayed there for a few more months, and really [it was] just the most impactful thing for me and the reason why I decided to stay with politics,” he said. “It’s one of those jobs that you can really see a difference in your work.”

His career in politics is just starting, but he plans to stay for a while. He said he plans to leave some sort of mark because of how much he enjoys what he does.

“What kept me going was seeing that you could actually make a difference for people in politics,” Weber said, adding, “and that was why I stayed.”

Fourth day: Tumblr Vibes

By Zeydi Guerra

I have a mix of different aesthetics. I’m one of those who have no exact style when it comes to what I wear, especially because I can never make up my mind for what I want to wear. So, today’s outfit was inspired by the Tumbler grunge aesthetic. It’s one of my favorites, not only because of the music scene, but because I love the style. How did I do?

The actual fit was a black tank, flannel shirt, wide-legged pants. And it obviously wouldn’t be something without the Docs!!! Am I giving I listen to The 1975?? For those who don’t know, The 1975 is my second favorite band. I LOVE THEM ONLY A LITTLE LESS THAN I LOVE THE STROKES, BUT THEY’RE STILL AMAZING.

Now lets talk breakfast! On the menu today was delicious waffles, THE EGGS MY FAVORITE PART, and some turkey bacon plus a muffin!

Only problem is, there was no coffee…I am definitely really reliant on coffee, it gives me the energy people know and love me for. The machine was broken and I almost cried on the food line…I ended up getting some sort of headache because of no coffee. So I basically embody the cliche that I am the person that cannot live without coffee. But moving on, today was a pretty standard day.

New headline: Overworked (not actually) high school students try real world hours…

WE WERE NOT ACTUALLY OVERWORKED BUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE SPENT EDITING AND WRITING WAS SO MUCH…(standard time, I’m exaggerating)

Moving on to lunch time!!! After all that work, we got to sit down, eat and then prepare to go back to our second home, the newsroom. During lunch, I saw some random guy with a Korn shirt, and decided I had to be his friend. Another thing about me, I’m one of those people who love others who share the same interest as me! I live for it actually.

After lunch, WE FINALLY MET THE INFAMOUS BILL BLEYER. The man who’s comments made me throw my phone but at the same time made my writing a lot better than before. He’s definitely a lot more sweeter in person than on email. On email, you feel as if he’s bashing everything you do and just overall sounds very mad at you, versus in person, he’s so kind and really interesting to talk to.

Had to add a the strokes reference. IFYKYK!

Lastly, we had the privilege of attending the Stony Brook Film Festival. The film playing was Heart of Stone, which is about two statues. Well, to be more specific, one is a woman who dresses like a statue and the other actually IS a statue. The actual girl is in love with the statue and sees her as her muse. It is some of the best scenes I’ve ever seen.

And now…I PRESENT PHOTO RECAPS!!

Chaos in Haiti spurred Keren’s interest in journalism

By Zeydi Guerra
Hempstead High School

Keren Philippe’s love for journalism started in middle school with a Peter Rabbit-themed journal.

Soon after that one filled up she moved onto a new notebook and hasn’t stopped since.

Keren, a 17-year-old senior from Central Islip, was born in the United States to Phanol and Wilrodia Phillippe. She lived here for eight months until the family moved back to Haiti. She returned with her mother and brother when she was 14, four years ago.

They moved from Haiti due to conditions being, as she described them, “shaky” and “corrupt.” But those conditions had the positive result of sparking her love of journalism.

She recalled a moment in Haiti at a teen center based on Christian values where her mother worked. A missionary named Miss Vicky grew attached to Keren and praised her for her constant note-taking. Keren said, “I would always pay attention, with a notebook and a wooden pencil in hand.” The missionary took note of this and bought Keren a small Peter-Rabbit-themed journal. Keren said, “She told me to write away, to journal anything I thought of.”

“It helped me be better,” Keren said.

She began to write about everything and anything, especially the violence around her. She wanted future generations to see what had happened in her world. When she finished the journal, which was quite small, she decided to start a new one.

She wrote about her experiences dealing with American stereotypes of the home she loves so much. “People need to understand what’s happening before they try to add their opinion to it,” Keren said. “Many tend to believe that Haiti is underprivileged and that we live in huts.”

“People need to understand what’s happening before they try to add their opinion to it,” Keren said. “Many tend to believe that Haiti is underprivileged and that we live in huts.”
– Keren Philippe

Keren said she found solace in her school’s newspaper club, where she enjoys writing about all sorts of topics. Her favorite thing to write about is art. She said, “art isn’t something you look at; art imitates life. There’s all different kinds of arts, and I want to be the one covering it.”

Keren speaks French, Haitian creole and English, and she is learning Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Greek.

She said she was ecstatic about being included in the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists. She said she hopes to become a better writer through the program and to get to a level where she can use her talents to help others.

“My biggest problem in my writing is that I always felt as if I was doing it wrong. Now I’m hoping to learn better ways to plan out my ideas and write them.”

Her mother, Wilrodia Philippe, said she is very proud of Keren. “She’s accomplished a lot. The steps she’s taking are all building towards something meaningful.”

Back at Stony! Day 1

By Zeydi Guerra

Stony Brook is a pretty familiar place to me.

I basically grew up on this campus. My brother is an alumnus at this school, and my best friend is a current student here. I’ve been all around this campus and basically know it by heart. My brother is a huge inspiration to me and was the first to find out that I would be joining the Seawolf family. He has always pushed me into doing what’s best for mer me and what would benefit me in all fashions. And if there is anyone whom I’d like to turn out like, it would be him. He was the one who came to drop me off during moving day as well as drove me to oritenation.

(Credits: Stony Brook News)

The guys with the dimples and blue shirt? black tie? Yeah that guy is my totally awesome brother :). BUT ENOUGH ABOUT HIM!! BACK TO WHAT YOU’RE REALLY HERE FOR, THE ACTUAL POST.

The day started with the usual check in, I settled in perfectly into my dorm. Only problem is the beds are like 6ft tall, and I’m basically the size of the Keebler elf. To get onto my bed, I have to do some parkour and use all my might to jump onto the bed. I should be a gymnast after this week with the way I summersault onto that mattress. Eventually I got the hang of it, but, every once in a while, I still fumble.

Everything was going smoothly, fasting forward to lunch. The lunch — I’m not going to lie — wasn’t my favorite, but it was something? My only yuck was the mac and cheese. The grilled cheese wasn’t bad either but it was not my favorite. my favorite part was definitely the potatoes, they were the best things I’ve ever tasted! Honestly think I got more full on the potatoes than anything else on this plate.

After this came our very first assignment, which was a photography assignment. I ATEEEE. Like actually, I love taking pictures. I’m one of those people that I f I see something pretty I will be compelled to take a picture of it. This really wasn’t anything new, but what was new was the technique. I was so interested in what we were doing, especially with the new ways to take photos. All of these rules and all of thee different tings to do to get the perfect photo amazed me so much that I just was completely infatuated by this.

Me and my crew :3

Me and my crew snapped a few pics together, and then of the scenery and then it was off to dinner! On the menu was some grilled chicken, pasta and some fries! I really enjoyed that meal, and we all agreed that it made for a way better meal than the cursed mac and cheese from lunch. After this, It was back to the dorms for some rest after a long day!

And now time for some extra photos, take by yours truly!!