GROTON. Conn – Two Fitch High School students, both staff members of the Falcon Press, had a joint article published in the New London Day.
The article is about the renaming of the Fitch football and baseball fields in honor of Coach Mike Ellis and Coach Ed Harvey, and was published on Nov. 12 on the front of the sports page of the New London Day. It was written by juniors Avery Horan and Millie DeBell, both of whom are dedicated to journalism and working at the Falcon Press, with Horan interested specifically in sports journalism. The article came to be after Rick Pecka, editor-in-chief for the Falcon Press, was put into contact with Vickie Fulkerson, the sports editor for The Day, and was given the opportunity to have a student-written article published. Pecka nominated the two student writers. After tossing around ideas for the piece, they suggested the idea to write about the football and baseball field name changes.
DeBell and Horan were also fortunate enough to be able to interview both coaches. Matthew Brown, principal of Fitch, and Marc Romano, athletic director of Fitch, put the duo in contact with Coach Mike Ellis, who was able to do a phone interview during a CTL block in October. The interview with Coach Ed Harvey and Matt Harvey, his son and former MLB player, was obtainable due to Horan’s family, who has a connection to them. The finished article was submitted to The Day on Nov. 1.
“It feels like a great accomplishment,” said Horan when asked to comment on her feelings now that the article is published, describing it as “something that will open doors for me in my journalism career down the road.”
“I was really excited that I would be working with my best friend.” added DeBell, “because we are equally ambitious about our craft and our future.”
Both ladies mentioned excitement about seeing their work reach a broader audience, discussed the effects this will have on their future endeavors, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity as a whole. Fulkerson herself also praised the two for their work, which is now being shared around Fitch and the community at large.
Avery Horan and Millie DeBell’s article for The Day can be viewed here (subscription required).
