Day 3 started with another inspiring pep talk from a seasoned journalist, News12 Reporter and Press Club of Long Island President Cecelia Dowd. We wasted no time in going right into group work. We were given our assignments by our mentor and started research. We headed off to Newsday’s building in Melville and got a tour as well as an inside look at how they do things. We ended the day going to the Ducks game in Central Islip. We attended a press conference with LI Ducks Communications Vice President Michael Polak. Then my team interviewed families for our assignments.
Today was Day 3 of the Greene Team, another productive and exciting day. Early morning, we heard from past Greene Team members and listened to their experiences in the workplace. Along with this, my group and I planned and organized our essay. We had Zoom meetings and brainstormed any questions we had for our subject tomorrow.
In the afternoon, we traveled to Melville, where Newsday’s headquarters is located. The building was so nice and spacious, and it was amazing seeing all the different journalists. From finance to sports, there is always someone covering a topic. The highlight of the trip was heading to the newsroom, where we saw behind the scenes of news broadcasts and met the news anchor himself, Ken Buffa.
Photo by Isabella Davis
After Newsday, we headed to the Ducks game, which was such a fun way to end the busy day. I enjoyed a great game, had fun with my friends, and ate a delicious hotdog! I look forward to what tomorrow has in store!
This morning my team got two assignments for the program – a profile for Neil Kohler about Tiny Vinyls, and a news package for the Ducks game. When we arrived to the newsroom we had a motivational pep talk over Zoom from WCSC-TV Multimedia Journalist Maya Brown. Next, our group met with our mentor and team leader, Jamie Stuart. We received excellent points from him which helped our team prepare for the game.
At the game I was able to be a reporter. I also interviewed fans. Further, I got to sit in on a press conference with Michael Polak, which helped us form a strong story for our news package. I’ve never watched baseball before, so it was a new experience, and it was great to learn the plays and new terms associated with the sport. Today was a lot of fun and it was great to see the Ducks mascot, Quacker Jack!
Long Island Ducks ballpark. (Photo by Jonnae Greene)
Today marked the official half-way point of our time at the Robert W. Greene institute — and by far the most eventful day for us.
Unsuprisingly, the geese being geese. Photo by Christopher Cabrera on 7/28.
We only ate food on campus for breakfast and lunch for today. I got myself some French toast and scrambled eggs alongside some orange juice for breakfast. Lunch consisted of a chicken sandwich, some pork and yellow rice, and some mozzarella sticks with a side of a coke. These meals were alright, but the french toast in the morning was chewy (?) and the chicken sandwich for lunch was underwhelming (more breading and air than actual chicken in that sandwich!!)
Lunch on 7/28/26. Photo by Christopher Cabrera
My team tried to make progress in contacting the researchers for the penguin feature story. But thus far, even with emails and phone calls/voicemails, we have only been semi- successful in reaching researcher Michael Polito from California. Regarding the Music Hall of Fame piece we’re also doing (which will include a video as well), we’re all good to go for the trip over to the hall tomorrow and interview founder Co-founder Norman Prusslin.
After lunch, we had two field trips over to Newsday and a Long Island Ducks game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. At Newsday, we explored the building, got to meet the main anchor and podcast host for TikTawk, and see what things look like behind the camera. From there, we traveled to see a Ducks vs FerryHawks game, where we got Duck Bills to spend on food and enjoy the first few innings. For both trips, we got the chance to practice with our cameras as well. Because of these adventures, it took us until 9:15 to get back to campus, which gave us the opportunity for a late curfew!
On the third day of my week in Stony Brook, we were given the opportunity to go out into the field and explore journalistic endeavors. In the morning, my teammates and I interviewed Karen Levitov, the director and curator of the Paul W. Zuccaire Art Gallery on Stony Brook University’s campus. The current exhibition held in the gallery is called Noah W. Andersomn: Black Excellence. Anderson created artwork that captured the success and the grievances of African Americans through the use of digital editing and woven tapestries.
Anderson’s “Black Exhaustion.” Photo by Yasmin Bardales
In the afternoon, we visited the Newsday studio and were able to ask professionals about their careers and how they got there. After that, we ended day with the Atlantic League Battle of the Belt between the Long Island Ducks and Staten Island Ferryhawks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.
Ducks’ home field, Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Photo by Yasmin Bardales
The past two days, days 3 and 4 at this program, have been filled with significantly more work than the first two. Teams are officially working on their stories, contacting researchers and interview subjects as well as conducting research on the topics themselves. That includes our Greene Team as a whole going on trips to places in Long Island, and holding small press conferences with professionals.
Yesterday, the team took a trip to Newsday, where we saw what the workplace looked like as well as receiving advice and hearing about personal experiences from workers in the newspaper. Then, we headed to the Ducks game, where one of the teams focused on interviews, a press conference with Ducks Communications Vice President Michael Polak, and photos for their own report.
Haru Dukanac and Briana Dworsak in the Glass Studio. Photo by Allie Butuc
This morning, everyone on the Greene team dressed up to practice broadcasting, whether it be a news anchor, reporter, or a producer/manager working on the more technical aspects. I worked as a news anchor, which I really enjoyed. Sitting in front of the camera in that position was something I hadn’t done before, nor got the opportunity for, but I would eagerly do it again.
For journalism reasons. Obviously. Myles, Kayci and I all went to the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital to do a video package on the expansion of its emergency room.
It was very fun! The lady, who I am blanking on the name of, was very nice. The whole area was very nice (It was also very hot out). The hospital rooms had mock stained-glass lights on the ceiling that looked like animals, such as a dragon fly or a butterfly.
A dinosaur perches above the pediatric emergency room. Photo by Asher Squires
Myles is a very good photographer. As I’m writing this. he is sitting next to me (I am scared he will see me typing this) and editing a photo he took of me last night. Kayci and I let him do most of the video stuff. We both asked questions to the nurse and helped figure out locations for shots. And Frank Posillico (teacher) helped Myles with locations and shot setups.
They said the new pediatric wing is going to be fish-themed, which, if you know me, you know I think that’s awesome. I’m a huge fish lover. Not that I eat them — you may remember that I’m vegetarian. I’m the only one in my family that doesn’t eat fish sushi (I get avocado).
Anyway, the hospital was fun. Stony Brook is sort of known for its medical stuff. I have a friend who’s planning on going here to become a pediatric doctor. Very on theme for my day.
Today at the end of his speech on local news, guest speaker George Giokas presented a question: “Why journalism?” And for me that is an easy question. I chose journalism because I believe everyone deserves to be heard.
Long before I became a student journalist and joined the newspaper club at my high school, I was drawn to the idea of giving a voice to people whose stories might otherwise go untold. That belief has shaped everything I have done, from explaining complex political issues in my school newspaper to reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Journalism allows me to combine my passion for storytelling with my interest in politics and public service.
I was inspired by watching reporters such as CNN White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins ask difficult questions of public officials and seeing how ethical reporting can hold those in power accountable while simultaneously helping people better understand the world around them.
Ultimately, journalism is the way I can make a meaningful impact. I want my work to inform, foster understanding, and ensure that more people are seen and heard. And I hope to gain life long skills during my time at the Robert W. Greene Institute that I can use in my future career in the journalism field.
It’s the second day at the Robert W. Greene Institute, and today was full of new opportunities, and learning lessons. From the pep talks and early morning brainstorming, it was all worth taking in. Getting assigned my team with Parker and Jonnae was thrilling as I knew we would be able to work well together, and strategize ideas for our upcoming group work! Once we got to work with the cameras hands-on, we instantly took the chance to capture pictures and videos near the water fountain. Getting to explore some parts of the campus through the camera lens was exhilarating!
Photo by Parker Silberman
As the day came to a close after dinner, me and the other students in the Greene program spent the rest of the night hanging out in the basement! We took the chance to play Uno, ping-pong, and pool. Getting to connect with everyone is exciting as we all got close fairly quick. Today was another day full of teaching moments, and ways to build on friendships!
At every meal my friends and I have had so far, there is always food left on our plates. Even when we aren’t that hungry, somehow we end up with at least one overflowing plate of food and a salad. This poses the question: Is having lots of options for meals a good thing?
For many, the answer is yes. This is because no one likes the same foods and many have food restrictions whether its a chosen one (like vegetarian or vegan), or an allergy. But having too many options can make students feel obligated to get more food than they can eat and end up either wasting more food than they actually consumed or overeating which can turn into a bad habit.
Hopefully, in the next few days, my judgement of food portions in the Stony Brook cafeteria will improve so I don’t waste more food than I have already.
