High schoolers in grades 9 to 11 from around the tri-state area showcased their writing skills and journalistic instincts for the New York Post Scholars Contest, in partnership with Command Education, a national leader in education and college consulting. “We at The Post wanted to inspire a new generation of journalists to inform, entertain, to hold power to account and to stand up for New Yorkers in the future,” said Keith Poole, editor-in-chief of the New York Post, on how the contest came to fruition.
After receiving hundreds of submissions that were well-researched news stories, opinion and feature articles on various topics – including homework, an after-school chess club, a wellness room at school, and how vaping is ruining high schools – the top three Scholars and 13 honorable mentions were chosen.
“The team and I spent hours combing through each qualifying article, looking for entries that showed a depth of research, quotes from those involved that brought the writing to life, and took in both sides of an argument. The exercise really did give us an invaluable insight into the lives of schoolkids today. We also evaluated writing styles and the intrinsic interest of the selected topics. We received many entries that were brilliant and brave and controversial – in the finest traditions of the New York Post.”
Keith Poole
Christopher Rim, CEO of Command Education, stated, “We are honored to support Keith Poole’s vision through the New York Post’s 2023 Scholars contest. Congratulations to all the outstanding finalists who demonstrated their passions and skills through this opportunity.”
The top three submissions and 13 honorable mentions had their articles published in a special Scholars section, and have been invited to the New York Post for a special Scholars Masterclass. The top three honorees will also receive an immersive New York Post Discovery Day tailored to their interests, a college prep training session with our partner, Command Education, and a grant for their school!
“I wanted to extend our appreciation to everyone who participated, because it is clear that an enormous amount of effort was put in by so many students who went above and beyond in fitting this into their extremely busy lives.”
Keith Poole
Congratulations to the inaugural class of New York Post Scholars!
Please click on each student’s name to read their article.
Top Scholars:
Anaka Purohit, Saint Ann’s School: St. Ann’s School goes off book
Kaleb Lancman, Stuyvesant High School: Chess Makes Meaningful Moves
Zach Stark, Fox Lane High School: History lessons worth repeating
Honorable Mentions:
Ary Hammerman, The Leffell School: Best-dressed list: Fashion forward know-how will raise your style IQ
Avery Vukhac, Horace Mann School: Heed the feed: We must evaluate the potential harm TikTok has on our teens
Brooke S. Bokser, Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest: Homework help wanted: It’s time to prioritize mental health over test scores and grades
Ella Wang, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts: Center stage: What happens when a famed performing arts high school shines the spotlight on academics?
Jessica Lee, Mountain Lakes High School: Study break: The wellness room at a New Jersey high school provides recess and a recharge
Karen Messer, Abraham Joshua Heschel School: Dollars and sense: The time is now to teach students financial literacy
Kelly Gildea, Townsend Harris High School: Queens on the Field: A varsity soccer team in Flushing scores an undefeated season and city championship
Kristina Haviland, Kinnelon High School: New Jersey community hungry to help: Open to all, a food pantry provides for friends and neighbors
Neha Yalamanchi, Susan E Wagner High School: Heads Up: Eighteen things to know about rising above bullying
Sean Park, Northern Valley Demarest Regional High School: Cheat Sheets: The need for ChatGPT detectors in education
Sophia One, Bronx High School of Science: Teacher’s pets: A pair of chinchillas brighten students’ days at the Bronx High School of Science
Spencer Kluger, The Clinton School: It’s All Trash: The NYC Zero Waste Schools initiative needs an overhaul
Zohara Weiner, Lab High School: Vaping on the rise: What school leaders should do to extinguish the trend
Top three schools that had the most participation:
Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School (Queens, NY)
Pleasantville High School (Pleasantville, NY)
Townsend Harris High School (Queens,NY)