The Palisadian-Post thanks our Junior Reporters for all of their hard work! Here are four who are graduating their current schools. If you are interested in finding out more about our Junior Reporter program—open to students who live or go to school in the Palisades—for the 2020-21 school year, email mypost@palipost.com.
Sophie Friedberg
Sophie Friedberg is graduating Palisades Charter High School and heading to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall.
One of her first pieces for the Post as a Junior Reporter shared her experience at Fancy Feet Dance Studio, which was published in April 2017. Other pieces include “The Future is in Our Hands” and “NECIR Summer Journalism Intensive,” which covered Sophie’s two-week experience at an intensive journalism program with the New England Center for Investigative Reporting.
Sophie’s last piece for the Post as a Junior Reporter was published in May 2020, reminding the community not to lose human connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Congrats Sophie! We are so beyond proud of you!!! Love, mom, dad, desi and Mickey.”
Éva Engel
Éva Engel is graduating from Paul Revere Charter Middle School and heading to Palisades Charter High School.
In addition to her pieces for the Post, Éva was recognized for organizing the Palisades Climate Strike on Global Strike Day and a climate march she held at 3rd Street Promenade on Black Friday against wasteful consumerism.
She also won first place in the Paul Revere film festival two years in a row: 2018 for a PSA on gun reform and in 2019 for a documentary on student stress.
She played tennis on for the girls tennis team all three years at Revere, earning a tennis scholarship from the Lindsey Vonn Foundation for a summer tennis program of her choice.
Vanessa Masterson
Vanessa “Vany” Masterson is graduating fifth grade from Palisades Charter Elementary School.
Over her years as a Junior Reporter, Vanessa has pitched innovative ways to involve the community in her pieces, including, most recently, a face mask decorating contest. Vanessa also answers questions from the community through her Dear Vany column, tackling questions from peers about school, family, friends, siblings and responsibilities.
“Congratulations on your journey through Pali Elementary and being part of the graduating class of 2020! We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished! We know you are ready for the next step and can’t wait to see what your future will bring! We love you so much, Mom, Dad, Shane, Grandma & Grandpa”
Leo Pesce
Leo Pesce is graduating from Seven Arrows Elementary School.
As a first-grader, Leo won the opportunity to be a special guest reporter with the Post at Seven Arrows’ silent auction fundraiser. In 2014, Leo and his family went on an Overnight Adventure at the Natural History Museum, getting the chance to sleep over at the museum, participate in activities led by museum educators and see live animals—reporting afterward his top seven things from the experience.
When asked in second grade why Leo wants to be a Junior Reporter, he replied: “I have good ideas!”
His second interview as a Junior Reporter came in third grade, when he interviewed the creators of “Phineas & Ferb,” Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh.
“Dear Leo, Congratulations on your graduation from Seven Arrows! We are so proud of your accomplishments, and excited to watch you take the world by storm. You’re a rock star! We love you very much. Love, Mom and Dad”
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