Interns, young reporters fuel local news engine

Just this summer alone, our readers benefited immensely from the work of four hard-working interns — Sam Federman, Em Stangarone, Mia Levine, and Jonathan Notis. Click on their names to read some recent work. Between area soccer coverage, S.T.E.A.M. symposiums, court reporting and local efforts to promote philanthropy among young people, among much else, these student-journalists allowed us to cover so many more meaningful stories than we otherwise would have been able to share.

I’m forgetting a ton of people (sorry) but here’s a snapshot of where a few former Examiners (some who started as interns, others as rookie reporters) have arrived professionally since flying the coop:

Kerry Barger is now a senior platform editor at The Wall Street Journal. David Propper is a reporter at the New York Post. (I’ll forgive him). Gregg Vigliotti’s photos have been published in The New York Times. Anna Young is a public information officer with the Westchester District Attorney’s Office. Andrew Vitelli is a senior reporter at a premier infrastructure trade publication. Janine Bowen is a communications specialist for the NC State College of Education after being a daily reporter in the state. Alex Weisler is a senior digital producer for the JDC. Last summer’s star intern Madeline Rosenberg is now a senior editor of the Cornell Daily Sun, destined for very big things to come. The list goes on and on. There are dozens of examples.

As someone who benefited immeasurably from internships and opportunities as a young reporter, I feel incredibly lucky to play a small role in paying it forward. While all of the accomplished formers possess unique attributes, they share a strong work ethic and a knack for making their own luck through grit and determination.

Erin Maher is another one of my favorite local scribes (amazing writer, somehow an even more amazing person) who joined us as a cub reporter. She first convinced me to hire her by spotlighting her employment with the Mets, when she introduced herself over email in 2016.  But, since then, she’s proven her communication chops again and again, whether through producing an award-winning humor column, covering the latest dispute at Bedford schools, or helping me navigate the mysteries of our @Examiner.Media Instagram account.

Yet I’ve been most impressed (is it weird to say proud?) with Erin’s newest big project.

She’s leveraging her commitment to run the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon as a way to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Click away to learn more about Erin, her friend and running partner Monica Jesby, and their Team Heart & Stroke. They’re hard at work, preparing to run 26.2 miles in just a couple months now, on Nov. 6.

While I get winded just thinking about Erin’s current training regimen, she’s busting it daily to prepare for the run and promote her efforts — all for a charity she cares deeply about.

It’s always nice to gain inspiration from local people who lead with their heart. Good luck, Erin, and I can’t wait to publish that finish line photo! Local Woman Makes Good and then some.

Best,

Adam

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