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West Orange Middle School Students Interview David Tyree and Jenny Vrentas at Write on Sports Summer Camp
LITTLE FALLS, NJ – “The locker room is now open!” declared Montclair State University (MSU) literacy professor and Write on Sports co-director and teacher Erik Jacobson. Without hesitation, middle school students from across Essex County raced to interview former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree and Sports Illustrated reporter Jenny Vrentas.
Twenty-six West Orange middle school students participated in the 13th annual Write on Sports summer journalism camp at MSU from July 9-20. The program was founded in 2005 by Byron Yake, a West Orange resident and former Press News bureau chief. With the help of Jacobson, Yake grew the program by adding a curriculum. The interview with Tyree and Vrentas was held on July 16.
During the hands-on two-week program, students hone their communication skills, write a variety of stories, interview athletes and sports media figures, and create a video on a topic of their choice.
One of the highlights of Write on Sports is when a guest journalist and a guest athlete visit the camp to model an interview. This year Sports Illustrated’s Jenny Vrentas interviewed former Giants star David Tyree.
Vrentas spoke about the evolution of sports journalism as digital platforms and social media change how people consume media before interviewing Tyree about his playing career and the upcoming season for the Giants.
“It’s been a totally different model of how people receive and consume,” said Vrentas. “Adjusting to that has been difficult because you still want to write longer feature stories and provide quality content, but you also have to meet the needs of people by providing quick hits.”
Tyree also spoke about the relationship between media and professional athletes. “The human element needs to be considered in sports in all dynamics,” said Tyree. “This is true for journalists interacting with players and vice-versa.”
After Vrentas interviewed Tyree, both West Orange and Newark campers got to ask their own questions in both press-conference and locker-room style interviews.
Other guests during the program included Seton Hall Men’s Basketball broadcaster Dave Popkin, West Orange High School golfer Tyler Galantini, and sports journalist Conor Orr.
Write on Sports campers also attended a New Jersey Jackals game at Yogi Berra Stadium. Prior to the July 18 double header against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles, students interviewed Jackals relief pitchers Nate Gercken and Evan DeLuca.
“I love the camp,” said first-year camper and rising Liberty Middle School seventh grader Sean Harrington. “It’s really fun and you really improve your writing for the upcoming school year.”
Harrington was a member of the Write on Sports Club at Edison Middle School, which spurred his interest in the summer program at MSU. “Here we get to do more reporting and research by doing this all day for two weeks instead an hour once a week. Our videos and stories are can be more in-depth and better here.”
“The goal of the program is to help students improve their literacy skills and find more confidence and enjoyment in the writing process in a way that doesn’t feel like school,” said Write on Sports codirector and teacher Andy Beutel.
The program tries to help kids improve and enjoy their writing by allowing students to focus on their niche interests within sports. The student-centered focus enables students to learn more about topics of their interest while getting feedback from instructors.
“If you like sports or you like writing, you’ll enjoy the camp,” added Beutel. “They get to delve into a topic that they like with peers that share their interests.”
More information about the program can be found on https://writeonsports.org.
Write on Sports teachers Andy Beutel (left – in blue) and Erik Jacobson (right – in white) prep campers for their interview with David Tyree and Jenny Vrentas
Campers ask David Tyree questions in a locker-room style interview.
West Orange and Newark Write on Sports camps pose for a group photo with David Tyree and Jenny Vrentas
West Orange Middle Schooler and Camper Sean Harrington works on his feature story.
Our thanks to Peyton Smith (WOHS Class of 2017) for covering this event. Peyton begins his second year at Syracuse University and is majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism. He is also a former editor of The Pioneer, team member for TV 36/45, and a member of the Mountaineer Media Team.
July 25, 2018