Student journalists will be getting their reps in this fall as Sachem North and East launched a joint broadcasting program that aims to be a national leader in student reporting.
“This is a great working environment — and a lot of people don’t get this opportunity,” said Sachem North student Alyssa Tappin, the student radio station’s manager.
Now, the longtime local broadcasting center — which has been bolstered by proud Sachem alum turned student mentor Chris Vaccaro — is greatly expanding. It will stream and simulcast games as teens prepare to do sideline reports, create social-media content and host daily shows, interviewing both athletes and community leaders in the area.
Tappin, who plays volleyball and lacrosse, is enthusiastically leading the charge in the game-changing operation.
“I’m here almost every day in the school year. … I just want to project [my voice] out of here all the time, not just during the school hours,” she said. “This really brought me out of my shell … and helped me soar.”
The station has also recruited Sachem North senior wideout Ben Bonett, who is already doing play-by-play calls in his head during practice.
“I love this program,” he said. “I’m a huge sports geek and I just love to talk sports with my friends and family.”
He also embraces wearing several different hats, or rather helmets, with the Arrows.
“Whatever role I could fill — I love to write, I love to broadcast, and I love to work behind the scenes,” Bonett said.
“Whatever I have to do, whether it’s working for the team, working with on the team, or being a voice for the team, makes me happy.”
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac’s Wrexham football club wraps up its two-week camp with Massapequa Soccer Club, its first-ever American youth training program, at 11:30 Friday morning at Burns Park with an open-to-the-public celebration of the milestone.
The Long Island Ducks host the York Revolution from Friday through Sunday in Islip.