WOODBURY — The Chief Advocate has been recognized by School Newspapers Online (SNO) as a 2023-24 SNO Distinguished Site for excellence in online journalism. The Chief Advocate makes Nonnewaug one of only 43 high schools in America and one of just two in Connecticut to receive the distinction so far this school year, as of May 1.
SNO is the student journalism platform used by the Chief Advocate and more than 2,700 other schools in the country (including 46 in Connecticut), making it the largest such provider in America. In order to be recognized as a SNO Distinguished Site, a journalism program must demonstrate outstanding achievement in six categories: continuous coverage, site excellence, audience engagement, story page design, multimedia, and writing.
“This is a significant accomplishment,” Kyle Phillips, the SNO Distinguished Sites Committee chair, wrote in a congratulatory letter. “Congratulations to you on this successful piece of your school curriculum and activities program. It is a strong example and an inspiration to others.”
The Chief Advocate staff has also published six award-winning stories this year: “Referees: Panic and Patience” by Aubrie Salisbury ’27 and Ava Hirleman ’27; “Udvardi Makes ‘Life-Changing’ Trip as a Foreign Exchange Student” by Emma Cummings ’24; “Maki Makes History” by Kaylee Jackson ’24; “Post-Grads and Reclassing — Is An Extra Year Worth It?” by Anna Crocker ’26; “For Class of 2024, Modern Roommate Shopping Proves Problematic” by Brianna Johnson ’25; and “NHS Hosts Inaugural EKG Scanning for Students” by Alexa Sweeney ’25. These articles were selected for re-publication on the national Best of SNO website.
Nearly 60 students are enrolled in Nonnewaug’s journalism program, including the following editors: Izzy DiNunzio ’24, Julianna Bellagamba ’24, Emma Cummings ’24, Kaylee Jackson ’24, Gianna Lodice ’24, Juliette Nichols ’24, Madison Stewart ’24, Devon Zapatka ’24, Juliana Bailey ’25, Maia Colavito ’26, and Anna Crocker ’26. Conor Gereg and Kyle Brennan are the journalism teachers and advisors.
The Chief Advocate has published nearly 1,200 stories since moving to an all-online format in the fall of 2020, and the website and social media are updated on a daily basis.
The Chief Advocate was also featured in a May 5 article in the Republican-American.
