Category: Profiles

By Parker Silberman
Longwood High School

Whether she’s writing, performing on stage or imagining her future as a journalist, the 17-year-old rising senior at Baldwin Senior High School is constantly looking for ways to express herself and connect with others. With a passion for writing, a busy schedule and ambitious career goals, she is already working toward turning that passion into a profession.

Briana will spend her senior year taking all of her classes at Nassau Community College. “I’m excited to step into a new environment and make the best out of my experience there,” she said. 

She lives with her parents, her older sister and her older brother. She also has a dog and a cat that are an important part of her life. “I’ve had my dog since I was five years old, and as an animal person, I love taking time out of my day to spend with Raven and Harley.”

Outside the classroom, Briana stays active playing softball, riding her bike, baking and spending time with her friends. 

This summer, in addition to attending the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute, Briana Dworsak alongside her mother, plans to visit her aunt in Ocean City, Maryland, as well as continue playing softball for Plainedge’s community league.

Her interest in journalism has been growing for years. “I wanted to join this program because ever since I was in school I have always had a love and desire for writing and creating stories,” Briana said. “That love remained all through middle school, and now as a rising senior I realized journalism and writing are a lost art that isn’t thoroughly explored and praised enough. The use of artificial intelligence recently made me want to explore journalism more and put my perspective out into the world.”

Briana hopes to pursue a career as either a psychologist or a feature writer for The New York Times. She plans to apply to colleges with strong journalism programs, including Stony Brook University and Syracuse University, where she can continue developing her writing and storytelling skills.

One of her favorite childhood memories was performing in her first school play, “Into the Woods,” in fifth grade. “I was shy, but performing in front of an audience actively helped me become more confident,” she said. The experience taught her to step outside her comfort zone and helped shape the confidence she carries herself with today.

Her mother, Erica Dworsak, has watched that determination grow over the years. “Brianna has always been extremely passionate about her hobbies and especially her main interests like journalism. She has big ambitions and will do anything to make them reality.” 

As Brianna prepares for her senior year and looks ahead to college, she remains focused on the goal that has inspired her for years: telling stories that matter. As she put it, “I have always had a love and desire for writing and creating stories.” 

By Briana Dworsak
Baldwin High School

Parker Silberman wasn’t interested in journalism until he started taking photography classes in school.

At 17 years old, Parker is preparing to begin his senior year at Longwood High School. According to his mother, Cortney Silberman, “Parker has always been someone who enjoys creating and isn’t afraid to challenge himself by trying new things.” While photography has become one of his biggest passions, she believes his “curiosity and willingness to learn are what truly set him apart.”

Growing up, Parker has always been surrounded by a supportive family that includes his mom, dad, stepmom, step-sister, sister, and two dogs, Xena and Tyson. His mother has described him as someone who has always enjoyed expressing himself out loud through different kinds of art. Whether he is drawing digitally or on paper, riding his bike, traveling, taking photographs, or spending time with friends, Parker has found ways to stay creative and active while enjoying the people and experiences around him.

His mom said that Parker’s passion for photography developed over time, and once he began taking photography classes in school, he started to take it more seriously. Parker’s teacher recommended Robert W. Greene Summer Institute, he hesitated because journalism wasn’t something he had ever considered pursuing. She encouraged him to keep an open mind, believing the experience would help him grow and figure out if journalism is for him. Parker soon realized that learning journalism could strengthen his photography by helping him understand the stories behind the images he captures.

One accomplishment that makes his mother especially proud is seeing Parker’s artwork displayed publicly. She remembers how much confidence that recognition gave him and even stated, “It motivated him to continue improving his artistic skills.” His mom has also admired the values Parker has gained as he’s gotten older. Rather than obsessing and recalling disappointments, he has learned to accept that not everything works out the way he hopes. She says his outlook can be summed up by a saying: “If it didn’t happen, it wasn’t meant to happen.” That mindset has helped him move forward from setbacks and focus on the comeback instead.

 Looking back, Parker’s childhood interests reflected the imagination and curiosity many children have. His mother laughed when she remembered career day in elementary school, most students dressing up as doctors, police officers, or veterinarians, while Parker proudly dressed as a paleontologist because of his intense interest in dinosaurs. She also recalls a phase when he enjoyed creating small comic books. Although, she says she never imagined writing or journalism would potentially become connected to his interests through photography.

As Parker prepares for his senior year, his mother is ecstatic to see where his creativity will take him next. She believes his passion for photography, artistic talent, and willingness to accept new opportunities will continue to help him grow. Whether he ends up pursuing photography, art, journalism, or a totally different path, she is confident he will continue telling meaningful stories through his work and continue learning along the way.

By Christopher Cabrera
Brentwood High School

Student journalist Maytal Bar views her work as a way of impacting the world through fearless reporting, “whether it’s through uncovering hidden policies or informing people on what is happening in the world,” she says.

May insists on expressing the ideas she believes must be heard. 

She grew up in Queens and moved to Brooklyn. An only child, she splits her time between her dad’s home in Brooklyn and Westchester, where her mother lives and where she attends Hendrick Hudson High School. 

During summers, May volunteers as a counselor at the Town of Cortlandt Day Camp, supervising children of all ages. She has committed herself to “take care of all the little kids… I have first and second-grade boys.” Beyond that, she played on her school’s JV girls’ tennis and volleyball teams, which helped her build communication skills and create an outlet of expression that has carried over to journalism.   

As a freshman, May initially joined her school newspaper, The Anchor, for fun with her friends. With the support of her advisor, Matthew Codner, she took on the role of editor-in-chief by the end of her freshman year. During this time, “I had to put together our entire last edition. And I had never done that before. So, I just had to figure it out,” May said. 

As a sophomore, May concluded her first year as editor-in-chief with a diverse portfolio of 26 articles. Her love for comedy series, such as “Blue Mountain State,” has influenced her entertainment pieces, while her knowledge of the rights of a free press has guided her in her commentary work. 

“May’s journalism is rather fearless,” Codner said. “She’s willing to take on topics that past writers have stayed away from.” While publishing an article about Project 2025 and an opinion piece about abortion, “one of the history teachers in my school had an issue with my articles and was trying to get them taken down,” May said. Through her own advocacy and her recognition on how students are free to publish their work unless they feature information that “isn’t factually correct,” she wasn’t forced to take it down. 

“I think May’s biggest stream of inspiration is her knowing that the final goal is for herself,” said Ethan Crook, one of May’s closest friends since eighth grade and a peer in her chemistry class. “In the process of her working on those goals, she doesn’t care what others think, which makes her absolutely unstoppable in what she wants to do. She keeps pushing and persevering.”  

Now, as an incoming junior, May is attending the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists. The program will “bring her writing and leadership to the next level,” said Codner, which will be critical as she hopes to expand her range of capabilities before entering the field after graduation. 

“Over this week at Stony Brook, I expect to become a better journalist and improve my skills significantly,” May said. 

By Christopher Cabrera
Brentwood High School

When Asher Squires applied to the Greene Team, they saw it as an opportunity for a writing experience. 

Asher sees themselves more as a creative writer than a journalist.

They grew up in Sound Beach with their older brother, Noah, and their parents, Lorraine and Matt Squires.

They currently attend Miller Place High School, where they engage with all sorts of media, including books like House of Leaves, music from artists like My Chemical Romance, and games such as Undertale, which have helped them explore different creative mediums.

 Asher loves attending concerts and volunteering in the backstage crew at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, where they gain knowledge and experience with the work involved in the creation process while also getting to socialize and directly bond and build connections in a team effort. 

It’s their personality that draws cooperation. “Asher always has this charm-power,” says Fei Shi-Zhong, one of Asher’s “best buddies.” “They are able to literally lighten any room they enter. They always know what to say, what to do, and the entire mood just shifts.” She said that she is “forever grateful that I’ve got to meet such an incredible individual.”

Poetry has been Asher’s main outlet of expression. “I love poetry and making people feel things with my writing,” they said. They take classes every Saturday and use their free time to write pieces and even submit them for contests.

Support from their teacher and mom has pushed Asher to advance. Their mom, as a librarian, has motivated Asher to engage in literary works. “My English teacher once told me ‘You have a very good writing voice’ and I think about it every time I write,” Asher said.

Their teacher had helped them apply for the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists program.

“I’m definitely still a beginner, though,” Asher said. The Greene Team presented an opportunity for Asher to flesh out their writing and build the skills to communicate their vocal advocacy in more ways.

“I literally screamed when I got accepted,” Asher related. They hope to work on advancing their journalism skills, “especially ledes.” Even though Asher doesn’t intend to become a journalist, they want to use the skills from the program for a future career as an English teacher or librarian.

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.”

By Yennifer Soriano 
Hempstead High School

Every student has a busy schedule, but Kayci Guardado is exceptionally busy with her athletic and journalism journey.

Guardado, a rising junior at Central Islip High School, lives with her mother, father and older sister. Her other older siblings have moved out.

With a passion for school sports, Kayci participates in cross country, spring track and winter wrestling. 

The achievement she is most proud of is when she surpassed her old best time of seven minutes and six seconds in the 1,500-meter run. “I finally was able to break my personal record with six minutes and 47 seconds, even though I broke both ankles this year,” she said.

Besides sports, Kayci is in the newspaper club, and is a member of the computer science honor society.

Her friend Katheryne Guzman Alvarez describes Kayci as passionate about anything she gets into, and as “a smart and shy person.”

“Once someone gets to know her and she starts to feel comfortable around them, she shows her personality and she is a great person to be around,” Katheryne said. 

Kayci is a risk-taker, taking on challenges no matter how much of a struggle they could be for her. She described one of them: joining the male-dominated wrestling team in eighth grade without knowing much about wrestling. “I still took that risk of being one of the only girls that joined wrestling and [are] trying it out.” 

Kayci describes herself as an ardent feminist, having attended programs with Planned Parenthood about anti-abortion laws being passed.

She has also found a passion for journalism, beginning with her computer journalism class and then joining the newspaper club. “I’m like the one that has posted the most on our newspaper app with maybe like ten articles,” she said.

“My teacher [Rahana Schmalacker] told me my papers were good,” Kayci said. “She was definitely one of my motivations to keep writing.”

Schmalacker introduced her to the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists. 

“I honestly don’t know if I want to pursue physical therapy, computer science-related or media careers, but I hope I can figure it out through this program,” Kayci said. “I feel like this will give me a taste of what journalism is really like.”