Port Chester HS Students Resurrect School Newspaper After A Decade

PORT CHESTER, NY — The Port Light student newspaper has risen from the ashes more than a decade after its last issue was released.

The revival of the Port Chester High School paper bucks a nationwide trend.

After more than 10 years, a group of Port Chester High School students have brought back their school newspaper, The Port Light, to serve as the voice of the high school community. The students themselves will create articles and interview newsmakers. The new editors say the paper will cover a range of topics, from school and pro sports to local news to op-eds, along with current events and world news.

"This newspaper does not exist without our amazingly talented, dedicated and wonderful students," English teacher Justin Thomas, who co-advises the club with fellow teacher Aaron Glazer, said. "They are such strong, entertaining writers with brilliant, gripping minds and voices. It is my genuine pleasure to work with them and have wonderful, meaningful discussions. It’s such a fun newsroom to be a part of, and they all play a key role in establishing that environment."

Thomas credited student Shirley Guzman, who serves as the editor-in-chief, for reviving the newspaper with her "vision, determination and leadership." In addition to Guzman, each of the student leaders – Thomas D’Esperies, Sophia Ortiz-Heaney, Michelle Ramos-Aragon and Kathleen Scarola – as well as all the student writers and photographers, have been integral to the successful resurrection of The Port Light, according to Thomas.

"What stands out to me the most is how informed and brilliant our students are," Thomas said. "Their voices are truly special and deserve to be heard by all audiences. These students are all so intelligent and have so many important thoughts and opinions on life, both inside and outside of school, and they’re motivated to share those voices with the world. It is an honor and a privilege to help facilitate that expression."

Thomas and Glazer said the newspaper will ideally help students grow their writing abilities, research strategies, organizational skills, ability to manage time and meet deadlines, ability to write for different audiences, interviewing skills and their ability to collaborate with one another as a team towards a common goal. All while creating a finished product to take pride in.

"We also hope that by participating in the newspaper, students will have the opportunity to explore their interests while making some new friends and strengthening relationships along the way," Glazer said.

Motivated by their love of writing and desire to have their voices heard, members of The Port Light will publish new issues every other week online. The student-led newspaper can be found here.