Category: Profiles

By Angie Larrea
Hempstead High School

For Jonnae Greene, transitioning from homeschooling to Baldwin Senior High School meant more than adjusting to a new classroom. 

It meant overcoming assumptions about her abilities. And while many students might have been discouraged by the challenge, Jonnae used it as motivation.

“People started perceiving it as, ‘Oh, you need to catch up,'” she recalled. “And boom—I just started scoring from there.”  

The 16-year-old, who has spent her whole life in Freeport, began her schooling in the Baldwin public school district’s Brookside Elementary School. She was taught at home during her middle school years. She greeted returning to a traditional classroom with arms open. Overcoming any obstacles of transitioning, she is now an award-winning, family-motivated and resilient teenager who strives to succeed via vigorous work.

 “I’ll definitely say going into in person schooling, it was like you had to prove yourself, because people automatically think ‘Oh you’re homeschooled, so you’re not up to date with what other students are doing,’” she said, “but when I’m given a challenge, I become so focused on accomplishing it. So immediately when I got to school I started excelling in all my classes. You really only get one chance to do high school so I always believed I might as well do my best.”

She puts her all out there by joining the Youth Change Leader Collaborative Studios, which is a student-organized club at her school with award-winning student broadcasters. Jonnae also contributes to her school’s local news show, “What’s Bruin?” She also enjoys art, music and gaming.

Jonnae’s mother, Jamilah Greene, commented that Jonnae has always been a risk taker as well as logical and organized in achieving her goals. “Whatever her responsibilities are, she is highly disciplined. She has a remarkably high work ethic to learn.” 

Jonnae credits her mother and grandmother, Beatrice, for being a major source of motivation in her life. Jonnae describes her grandma’s house as being “wrapped in warmth and encouragement.”

Jonnae’s passion for journalism began when she enrolled in her high school’s four-year media program. “At the start of high school, I knew nothing about media.” she said.  “And then I was like, ‘you know what? If I put my mind to it, and I’m willing to put the effort in to make it work. I know I can start the journey immediately.’” 

Her dedication and willingness to embrace new opportunities persuaded her to apply to the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists. “I hope to gain more experience.” Jonnae said. “I’m excited to network and meet people from schools all around New York. I know I want to go into college for media so this gives me insight into what steps I’ll take after I graduate.”

By May Bar
Hendrick Hudson High School

Christopher Cabrera is someone who fills the room with his optimistic energy and character. 

The rising junior at Brentwood High School is known as a very cheerful and upbeat person, according to his friend Jonathan Ramos, whom he has known since the first grade. Though many people know him for his bright personality, he is also a person of many interests: social studies, photography and journalism.

Christopher grew up in Brentwood with his three siblings, Leslie, Brandon and Kimberly Cabrera. His parents, Damaris and Fredi Cabrera, are immigrants from El Salvador. Growing up in Brentwood with this background gave Christopher a unique point of view.

This is also what sparked Christopher’s interest in journalism, which he is studying in school. “Being historically educated is very important and can help in gaining a perspective into the wider world,” said Christopher, whose favorite subject is history.

Christopher sees journalism as a way to change the world, but he also takes a more hands-on approach. He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, helping to build houses for families that don’t have one. On one project, Christopher got to sign his name on a wall of a house. This memory is very special to him because it exemplifies Christopher’s commitment to “help this beautiful family have a house.”

Film photography is also a major interest for Christopher. “I found this old Pentax camera that my dad used to have and I thought that if I could get this to work, I could experiment around with it.” Christopher said.

Jonathan said that Christopher believes “photography as a medium is incredible since photography is one of the few things where you can capture a moment rather than just picturing it.”  

Another hobby is repairing old computers that would otherwise be considered e-waste. Christopher said it is a “fun side-project to bring life back into old systems.” 

Christopher’s many interests and hobbies all play a part in his work as a journalist. “I believe that my participation in the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists will both help me flesh out my current skills in journalism and further develop in other aspects that I’m currently not as proficient in,” Christopher said.

By Isabella Davis
Sacred Heart Academy

Haru Dukanac has always been surrounded by different languages and traditions.

The 16-year-old from Scarsdale in Westchester embraces the gift of languages and the insight they offer to different cultures.

Growing up in a multicultural household — her father, Vuk Dukanac from Belgrade, Serbia, and her mom, Mina Dukanac from Gifu, Japan – Haru has been surrounded by different languages and traditions from birth. 

Now, she can speak, read and understand Japanese and English, and she is currently studying French and is a member of the French Honor Society at Eastchester High School.

Her curiosity towards languages extends outside her home and the classroom. She organizes events for her school Asian Club. “Although the club isn’t big yet, it has helped me get more involved in my school community by socializing with other students from different grades, and with teachers who I have never had classes with before,” she said. 

Outside of school, Haru spends her summers as a counselor at Tokyo Frost Valley, a summer camp located in Claryville, New York. The camp was established in 1979 to help Japanese American youth learn the language, enjoy the outdoors and build a strong sense of community. Haru has attended this camp since she was seven, which has allowed her to make lifelong friends and learn more about her Japanese heritage.

“I’ve built so many relationships with people that have been going strong for years now, and it’s such a unique experience that I look forward to every other summer,” she said. 

Her love for language studies and embracing the cultures around her has not only enriched her understanding of different backgrounds and introduced her to new people, but it has influenced her love for writing and has helped her develop meaningful connections among her family, friends and those around her.

“Haru is an amazing listener,” said her friend Rebecca Derise from Eastchester High School. “Haru is definitely a very curious person who loves to know about my life and the lives of our friends. She is very good at telling stories and showing her concern for others and their lives.” 

“I feel as though my gravitation to learning about different cultures correlates to my love for writing because I’ve been exposed to so many different people and environments and all of those people have their own story of how they got where they are now,” Haru said. 

Her passion for writing and sharing stories led her to join her school newspaper club, where she covered topics such as new classes, schedule updates and any changes that have taken place in the school environment.

This summer, she hopes to continue developing her skills at the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists.  

Haru explained, “I signed up for this program as I was searching for opportunities for me to explore my skills and interests and utilize them in a more serious atmosphere. I want to see if I really am interested in taking on journalism as a career, even though I know that the skills I learn and the skills that I polish will be greatly valuable.”

By Kayci Guardado
Central Islip High School

Given a notebook by her family because they were often too tired to listen to her talk, 16-year-old Yennifer A. Soriano began her writing career for a silent audience.

“I liked to talk a lot when I was a little kid, so my family wasn’t here enough to hear me talk or was too tired to listen, so they gave me a notebook and I would write anything,” Yennifer recounted. “My family always saw me writing about food reviews, stories, anything.” 

The art of putting words on paper gradually evolved into journalism. “When I finally entered school, I was in book programs, reading, anything literature-related.” This caught the eye of her Hempstead High School AP seminar teacher, Cara Franchino, who introduced her to the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists. 

Driven by a desire to test her passion in the real world, Yennifer applied to the program to “see journalism from sort of a professional form instead of the usual self-learnt form of journalism.” Ultimately, her main goal is to discover whether she wants to turn her lifelong love for storytelling into a professional career.

Yennifer’s friend of nine years, Zierrah Owens, said, “I think Yennifer deciding to pursue journalism is realistic. After knowing her for many years and being with her as we grew, I think her passions directly and indirectly point her in the direction of pursuing journalism, so this isn’t a surprise.”

Behind her relentless drive is her older brother, Jason, whom Yennifer credits as her greatest role model and a vital figure in shaping her storytelling journey. ”My mom wasn’t really around when I was little because she was busy working,” Yennifer explained. “So, the only person I really had was my older brother and he taught me a lot that I still use today.”

Jason deeply influenced Yennifer’s perspective and her desire to support others. “What I want people to remember me is how no matter what I was always there like how others were for me,” she said. 

This dedication for showing up is demonstrated in her daily responsibilities. “I babysit two little kids. I have done it consistently for about a year.” She does it while being on the Principal’s List, participating in the art club and crafting media in the photography club. 

Balancing her work ethic requires navigating a complex home life. “There are some days where it is great, some days where it is horrible and I want to leave. However, my family … will always be at the top of my list that I care about.” 

By Haru Dukanac
Eastchester High School

Isabella Davis has always been adept at socializing, which she believes defines her and is a critical attribute of becoming successful as the journalist she someday wants to be.

Isabella (Izzy), a rising junior at Sacred Heart Academy, describes Freeport, where she resides, as “a small, close-knit Catholic community” where she attended Catholic schools. “My faith has always played a huge part in my upbringing and has shaped the way I live and my perspective on life!”, she said.

 Isabella believes that a part of her faith is growing to appreciate and respect other people, which fueled her interest in learning about other people’s religions, backgrounds and cultures. These interests are reflected by the activities that she does inside and outside of school. Isabella is the secretary of her school’s Spanish Club, goes to Mandarin school on Sundays and regularly teaches at St. Aidan’s Parish, a religious school in Williston Park, after school. 

An especially eye-opening exposure to other cultures was going to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador for community service in February. There, she painted a K-12 school and had the opportunity to communicate with children in Spanish and English, being bilingual. She listened to different stories and how children there lived. “I gained a new perspective on what life and education is like for youth across the equator,” she explained.

Isabella’s positive attitude is attested to by her friend, Violet Dindyal, who participated with her on the school track team. “Izzy works so hard in track and always encouraged us to do our best,” Violet said. “She brings everyone together in our group, so we all feel included and supported.” 

Isabella’s been surrounded by people who are more into math and science while she leans towards humanities and English. She signed up for the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists this summer because she wants to meet people with her similar interests, particularly writing, and polish her skills. “It’s very rare to find someone with as many similar interests as you,” she concluded.

By Heily Sandoval
Northport High School

Northport High School Senior Alexandra Butuc has found her calling as a storyteller by observing and appreciating the fascinating people of her community.

Allie, who is 16, grew up in Astoria, Queens. She said the close, diverse neighborhood piqued her interest in the people and world around her. And that desire to grasp the different views of those in her hometown eventually led to her interest in journalism.

“Growing up surrounded by people from so many different cultures exposed me to a wide variety of perspectives at a young age,” Allie explained. “I believe that experience ultimately contributed to my passion for storytelling and journalism.”

This desire to learn more about journalism is what motivated her to join her high school’s newspaper club. She’s proud of one of the articles just published on NASA’s latest space travel program, “Artemis II Mission Successfully Returns to Earth.”

A passion to improve and tell people’s stories are the goals that shape her. 

“Something that motivates me to get out of bed every morning is my desire to prove to myself that I am capable of achieving my goals and making a meaningful impact on the world,” she said.

This quest to be better at what she loves doing is the primary reason she applied to the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists at Stony Brook University.

“I joined the summer program in hopes to gain skills that will help me in my journalism career that I hope to pursue in my future,” she said.

During the program in July 2026, Allie found a new community – 17 other members of the Greene Team, professional mentors, and faculty and staff at Stony Brook – that gave her a window into the field she will enter.

Members of Alexandra’s family said they are intrigued by her passion for storytelling. Her sister, Victoria, said she has gained a better understanding of her older sister as she pursues her journalism dreams.

“Allie is one of the most genuine, kind-hearted people I know yet finds a way to balance that between being able to speak her mind,” Victoria said. “She’s always able to get her point across. She always stands her ground and keeps her opinions clear.”

Paula and Liviu Butuc, Alexandra’s grandparents, recalled the moments they have had together that shaped their understanding of Alexandra’s character.

“Whenever we bring up something that relates to geopolitics, we always have deep conversations and debates,” Paula said. “She always wants to hear our point of view as she shares hers. She always finds a way to stand her ground and use facts to make her point get across when there is a disagreement.”

By Allie Harrison
Ward Melville High School

Noah Eichenholtz has a wide variety of interests: working out, pop culture, history, and, of course, journalism.

The rising junior at Hendrick Hudson High School in Westchester was eager to join this year’s Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists.

Noah said that not only would the program be good preparation for college, but more importantly, he was excited about “getting to work with real journalists and seeing their views on the world.”

His passion for journalism is evident in his work for his school’s newspaper, The Anchor, where he is both managing editor and arts and entertainment editor. Noah said he enjoys writing about popular culture, from album reviews of “God Does Like Ugly” by JID and “MUSIC” by Playboi Carti to video game and movie recommendations. He is also involved in his school’s music culture club, where he discusses music with other students.

In addition to Noah’s commitment to journalism, he said he’s committed to exercise. The 16-year-old lives with his parents and 19-year-old twin brothers Simon and Miles, as well as a pet cat and a pet turtle.

He started working out seriously two years ago, and his family has always held similar values of health and fitness. “My father has been very big into working out and body building my whole life,” he explained, “and my mom also likes to work out, so my whole life, I’ve been surrounded by it. In high school, both my brothers began to get into it, and it became sort of a family thing.”

He said he enjoys the activity not only for the physical benefits but also for the mental and social aspects. “It’s somewhat therapeutic and allows me to work through emotions,” he said. “Besides that, it’s a fun activity I do with my friends and allows me to be in control of my body and health.”

Nonetheless, Noah does not plan to pursue either journalism or health and fitness as a career. Instead, he wants to be a history teacher. History is his favorite subject in school, and he’s very interested in politics.

He recently got to debate John A. Sarcone III, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, who was visiting his school for an assembly. Noah said it was “a lot of fun.” He added that he enjoys talking to people about politics “if they’re willing to actually think about it.”

Noah said he couldn’t wait to live on the Stony Brook University campus for the Greene Team.

“Noah is really passionate about a lot of things,” said his school friend Matthew Smith, “and with how much effort he puts into The Anchor, I can tell that journalism is something he really cares about. This program seems like a great opportunity for him to delve into that interest and learn more about it.”

As they say, journalism is the first draft of history — Noah is eager to help write it.

By Jonnae Greene
Baldwin High School

Instead of holding onto heavy emotions, Angie Larrea writes through them.

The rising junior at Hempstead High School has lived in the village her entire life. Growing up with her parents, older sister Bianca and three pets, her family life has been marked by both love and conflict.

Angie recalled that “my older sister and my dad … did have a lot of conflict. Watching that growing up caused my mind to think certain things doesn’t make sense.”

Moreover, it caused her to become more guarded with others. “Growing up, I’ve had trust issues with friendships, relationships,” she said.

Angie also experienced a falling out with Bianca. She said after a fight, “the first four, five months of this year, we did not speak at all. I would just avoid her.”

Eventually, through letting go of the past, they were able to rebuild their connection. Looking back, Angie believes these experiences changed the way she views relationships. “It has caused me to be more appreciative of the people around me,” she said.

Since the beginning of high school, Angie has taken time to write in her daily journal and create poems. “It’s like a way for me to speak my feelings, but in ways that are as complex as I feel them,” she said.

In her school’s slam poetry contest, she entered a poem about her relationship with her father. She ranked among the top entrants. “I felt so raw and accomplished that I presented something that was so personal to me,” she said.

Angie values understanding people. She often speaks about her best friend Elisena, whom she has known since first grade. During the summer, Elisena goes on trips with her family, limiting their communication.

This enables Angie to reflect more on herself. The summers apart strengthen their friendship. “It has taught me that although you take time for yourself, that doesn’t mean you love the person any less,” she said.

Angie is involved in multiple activities, such as swimming, softball and wrestling. She also takes Advanced Placement courses such as AP English Seminar and AP World History.

In AP English Seminar, Angie faced challenges in group presentations, where she learned the importance of cooperation and time management. She has been in the top three of her class for all of sophomore year. Bianca said Angie “continues to succeed in whatever she puts her mind to.”

However, between her high academic performance, sports and family, she can become overwhelmed. Through journaling, Angie unwinds while finding clarity and peace. “I journal to calm my stress,” she said.

As for participating in the Robert W. Greene Institute for High School Journalists, Angie said: “I want to join this program because I want to meet new people. Getting to know new perspectives and new mindsets is a big aspect of my development.”

Angie is interested to see if this field fits in her future. “I hope to become more knowledgeable in journalism,” she said.

By Noah Eichenholtz
Hendrick Hudson High School

It started with the “Lord of the Rings” series.

Allie Harrison says she found inspiration for writing in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. She decided to try writing her own stories, and that has morphed into journalism. And that led her to the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists.

“As somebody who hopes to be a journalist professionally,” she said, “this program makes me excited to improve my writing skills and see how people do it in real life.”

Allie is 16 and grew up in Setauket. She lives at home with her sister, Olivia, 12, and her parents, Thomas and Kristin. Allie is a rising senior at Ward Melville High School, where she is the current opinion editor and the future editor-in-chief for her school’s newspaper, The Kaleidoscope. Allie is active in the school’s literary magazine, Cinnabar, and DECA, a club that educates students on business and finance.

Besides journalism, Allie has discovered she likes writing short stories. “For my short stories, I just love creating worlds, characters, and plot lines in my mind and bringing them to life through words,” she said.

She called the “Lord of the Rings” series “the best books series and best movie series ever.” She said these books inspired her to write two of her fantasy novels in middle school.

“I got really into reading in like third grade and decided in fifth grade I wanted to write my own books as an adult,” she said, “and in sixth grade I decided, why not just do that now?”

Mary Williams, one of Allie’s old friends, recalled reading these books. “They were pretty good considering her age,” she said. Mary described Allie as a “smart, kind, and generous person.”

It was the swordplay in “Lord of the Rings” that drew Allie to fencing, which has become another passion for her. “I first heard that my high school had a fencing team in seventh grade and I thought it sounded cool, so I joined a private club before I could even do the school team, and I’ve loved it ever since,” she said.

Fencing also brought Allie a new group of friends, but many were significantly older and have since moved on. “It’s really sad. I became friends with them when I was in seventh grade, so when they’re all gone all of the sudden, it sucks,” she said. “Of course I still love fencing, but it feels different with all of them gone.”

Allie hopes to continue fencing through college. “It’s a fun challenge for both the mind and body,” she said. “I like individual sports in general, and I met some of my best friends there.”

Like the characters in “Lord of the Rings,” Allie is embarking on her own journey — into the world of professional journalism — and the Greene Team is her first step.