During Spring Break 2018, a team of student and faculty journalists from Montclair State University's School of Communication and Media traveled to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Led by Professors Tom Franklin, Steve McCarthy, and David Sanders, each student worked on their own individual projects and collaborated effectively with one another. We had covered stories ranging from agriculture, education, closed businesses, tourism, food, a New Jersey non-profit organization called "Cypress Missions," and one of our student's grandmother's nursing home. All stories were included in a special episode of the school's weekly broadcast called "Montclair News Lab: Hurricane Recover Mission to Puerto Rico." Because of our collaborative efforts, we earned two awards- a College TV Emmy and Seymour Bricker Humanitarian award- thanks to the Television Academy Foundation. Each student received a trophy, certificates, and split $7,000 in winning earnings.
Photo courtesy of Thomas E. Franklin
CASTANELE, PUERTO RICO 03/12/2018 "MEALS WITH LOVE": Babee Garcia films Chef Ventura Vivoni and volunteers from World Central Kitchen to distribute restaurant-quality meals. Photo courtesy of Thomas E. Franklin
