ROXBURY 2024 MEDIA CONFERENCE!!!
MEDIA CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
MEDIA CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Hailey Womer
Hailey is a graduate of Syracuse University and Georgetown University, with a BA in Public Relations and Political Science and MA in American Government. As a passionate political media researcher, her thesis, "When Church Meets State: Partisan News Coverage During the Supreme Court Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett," received recognition in several major publications including The Washington Post, Pew Research, and Real Clear Religion. Hailey got her start in politics as a lead research assistant for the Illuminating Project, leading a research team in analyzing, coding, and adjudicating political campaign advertisements for the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections. She later worked at Coyne PR and Berlin Rosen, managing media relations and strategy for labor, healthcare, and advocacy clients. In 2023 she worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, where she helped advance legislation and worked with senior government leaders to testify in front of Congress. She is now a Political Media Strategist on the Linear Buying Team at Sage Media in Washington, DC working for local, state, and national candidate & advocacy campaigns. In her free time, Hailey is an avid reader, ice cream fanatic, pickleball player, and proud Roxbury alum!
Hailey is a graduate of Syracuse University and Georgetown University, with a BA in Public Relations and Political Science and MA in American Government. As a passionate political media researcher, her thesis, "When Church Meets State: Partisan News Coverage During the Supreme Court Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett," received recognition in several major publications including The Washington Post, Pew Research, and Real Clear Religion. Hailey got her start in politics as a lead research assistant for the Illuminating Project, leading a research team in analyzing, coding, and adjudicating political campaign advertisements for the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections. She later worked at Coyne PR and Berlin Rosen, managing media relations and strategy for labor, healthcare, and advocacy clients. In 2023 she worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, where she helped advance legislation and worked with senior government leaders to testify in front of Congress. She is now a Political Media Strategist on the Linear Buying Team at Sage Media in Washington, DC working for local, state, and national candidate & advocacy campaigns. In her free time, Hailey is an avid reader, ice cream fanatic, pickleball player, and proud Roxbury alum!
Natalie Burleigh
Hello! My name is Natalie Burleigh, and I am a second-year Management major at Susquehanna University. This past semester, I declared a minor in Marketing. On campus, I am a member of the women's field hockey team which continues to strengthen my time management skills and enforces the importance of teamwork. I am interested and passionate about the beauty industry and have future aspirations of working in the field post-graduation.
Hello! My name is Natalie Burleigh, and I am a second-year Management major at Susquehanna University. This past semester, I declared a minor in Marketing. On campus, I am a member of the women's field hockey team which continues to strengthen my time management skills and enforces the importance of teamwork. I am interested and passionate about the beauty industry and have future aspirations of working in the field post-graduation.
Christopher Nunez
Christopher Nunez is a rising senior at Seton Hall University, majoring in Digital Cinema. He is being taught by Professor Rondinella (Blades, 1989) and Professor Pace (Charming Billy, 1999). In 2022, he completed an internship for the television show "A Rich Word" at WJYS Channel 62. During his internship, he managed the show's social media and assisted with the video editing process. In the summer of 2023, he worked as an academic mentor at UC Berkeley's Summer Springboard program, guiding high school students alongside professors. This summer, Chris will be serving as the Junior Dean at Oxford Royale at Yale University. In this role, he is responsible for directing his own team of mentors to help manage an international student program.
Christopher Nunez is a rising senior at Seton Hall University, majoring in Digital Cinema. He is being taught by Professor Rondinella (Blades, 1989) and Professor Pace (Charming Billy, 1999). In 2022, he completed an internship for the television show "A Rich Word" at WJYS Channel 62. During his internship, he managed the show's social media and assisted with the video editing process. In the summer of 2023, he worked as an academic mentor at UC Berkeley's Summer Springboard program, guiding high school students alongside professors. This summer, Chris will be serving as the Junior Dean at Oxford Royale at Yale University. In this role, he is responsible for directing his own team of mentors to help manage an international student program.
Michael Izzo
Michael Izzo has been the editor-in-chief of the West Essex Tribune for the past six-plus years. He is only the fifth editor of Livingston's community newspaper since it launched in 1929. In addition to leading the editorial staff of the weekly paper, Izzo writes a column and covers general news and features for the Tribune, in addition to countless other jobs that come with running a small publication.
In his time as a writer and editor, Izzo has reported breaking news and has covered municipal government, courts, police and school districts. He has written weekly features, managed news websites and social media platforms, and has appeared on MSNBC to discuss his reporting.
A Class of 2008 Roxbury High School graduate, Izzo graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Prior to his work at the Tribune, he was an award-winning staff writer for the Daily Record, Bergen Record, and NorthJersey.com, covering dozens of municipalities, primarily in Morris County. He has also written for Business Insider and the Christoper and Dana Reeve Foundation. He has been writing professionally since he was 12 years old, when he was paid to write movie reviews for the Daily Record.
Michael Izzo has been the editor-in-chief of the West Essex Tribune for the past six-plus years. He is only the fifth editor of Livingston's community newspaper since it launched in 1929. In addition to leading the editorial staff of the weekly paper, Izzo writes a column and covers general news and features for the Tribune, in addition to countless other jobs that come with running a small publication.
In his time as a writer and editor, Izzo has reported breaking news and has covered municipal government, courts, police and school districts. He has written weekly features, managed news websites and social media platforms, and has appeared on MSNBC to discuss his reporting.
A Class of 2008 Roxbury High School graduate, Izzo graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Prior to his work at the Tribune, he was an award-winning staff writer for the Daily Record, Bergen Record, and NorthJersey.com, covering dozens of municipalities, primarily in Morris County. He has also written for Business Insider and the Christoper and Dana Reeve Foundation. He has been writing professionally since he was 12 years old, when he was paid to write movie reviews for the Daily Record.
Ethan Olmsted
Ethan is a Freshman at Savannah College of Art and Design. He studies Graphic Design with a minor in Film Editing and runs for the schools Cross Country and Track team. He graduated from Roxbury High School in 2023.
Melissa Summers
Melissa Summers is the News Manager at Fox News Channel’s National Desk in New York.
Previously she was the Planning and Assignment Editor at News 12 New Jersey and wrote and managed News12.com as the Interactive Producer.
A graduate of Roxbury High School, she spent several summers as a photojournalist for the Roxbury Register and the Daily Record before earning her bachelor's degree from James Madison University. She began her career at CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, working through the ranks for 11 years to a position on the National Desk. She also worked on the Assignment Desk at CBS Atlanta before coming back “home” to New Jersey in 2013.
Melissa’s work at CNN earned her a National Emmy in 2002, followed by Peabody Awards for Hurricane Katrina coverage in 2005 and Presidential Election coverage in 2008.
Primary responsibilities at Fox News Channel include the management of overnight newsgathering leading into their morning shows. She also oversees both domestic and international editorial decisions.
Melissa is proud to be raising a family in Roxbury and looks forward to helping future grads achieve careers in journalism, communications, or PR.
PRESENTATION:
We will explore how social media has changed the landscape of newsgathering, the advantages the younger generation brings to the industry, how to best position yourself for a career in TV, Public Relations, or multimedia, and the expectations of those working in the ever-evolving world of communication.
Previously she was the Planning and Assignment Editor at News 12 New Jersey and wrote and managed News12.com as the Interactive Producer.
A graduate of Roxbury High School, she spent several summers as a photojournalist for the Roxbury Register and the Daily Record before earning her bachelor's degree from James Madison University. She began her career at CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, working through the ranks for 11 years to a position on the National Desk. She also worked on the Assignment Desk at CBS Atlanta before coming back “home” to New Jersey in 2013.
Melissa’s work at CNN earned her a National Emmy in 2002, followed by Peabody Awards for Hurricane Katrina coverage in 2005 and Presidential Election coverage in 2008.
Primary responsibilities at Fox News Channel include the management of overnight newsgathering leading into their morning shows. She also oversees both domestic and international editorial decisions.
Melissa is proud to be raising a family in Roxbury and looks forward to helping future grads achieve careers in journalism, communications, or PR.
PRESENTATION:
We will explore how social media has changed the landscape of newsgathering, the advantages the younger generation brings to the industry, how to best position yourself for a career in TV, Public Relations, or multimedia, and the expectations of those working in the ever-evolving world of communication.
Ryan Roddy
Graduate of RHS in 2023 and former Gaelvision president (2021-2023). Rising sophomore at West Virginia University majoring in Sports and Adventure Media with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. Interning at Blue Gold Sports, an USA Today Sports affiliate covering WVU athletics as a staff writer. Has had the privilege of covering multiple sports, while attending select press conferences. Helps manage BGS’ social platforms, which have just over 40,000 followers in total. Also helps edit other interns’ articles with hopes to become the next Managing Editor of the site.
Graduate of RHS in 2023 and former Gaelvision president (2021-2023). Rising sophomore at West Virginia University majoring in Sports and Adventure Media with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. Interning at Blue Gold Sports, an USA Today Sports affiliate covering WVU athletics as a staff writer. Has had the privilege of covering multiple sports, while attending select press conferences. Helps manage BGS’ social platforms, which have just over 40,000 followers in total. Also helps edit other interns’ articles with hopes to become the next Managing Editor of the site.
Matt Walsh
Matt is a junior at Hofstra University working towards a BFA in filmmaking. Throughout his education, he has found a love for writing, directing, and sound recording & design. He has worked on many sets in roles including: 1st Assistant Director, Sound Recordist, Director, and Flex Grip, all performed with confidence thanks to his education at Randolph High School and Hofstra University. He is currently working on his senior thesis project that is planned to be shot in spring 2025. Outside of film and school, Matt is an avid fan of ‘60’s & ‘70’s rock and culture, and is working on a research paper discussing the impact of this era. He also cares deeply about taking caring of himself mentally and physically, and finding a balance between work and his own personal goals has been a big part of his life.
Matt is a junior at Hofstra University working towards a BFA in filmmaking. Throughout his education, he has found a love for writing, directing, and sound recording & design. He has worked on many sets in roles including: 1st Assistant Director, Sound Recordist, Director, and Flex Grip, all performed with confidence thanks to his education at Randolph High School and Hofstra University. He is currently working on his senior thesis project that is planned to be shot in spring 2025. Outside of film and school, Matt is an avid fan of ‘60’s & ‘70’s rock and culture, and is working on a research paper discussing the impact of this era. He also cares deeply about taking caring of himself mentally and physically, and finding a balance between work and his own personal goals has been a big part of his life.
Keturah Sassaman
Keturah Sassaman is the Big State Sports Office Manager. Her responsibilities include preparing our staff for broadcasts by creating graphics and compiling ad reads. She also manages our sponsor accounts and handles payroll/invoicing. Lastly she assists George, our leader and owner of Bg State Sports with daily tasks and helps to keep the office running smoothly.
Keturah Sassaman is the Big State Sports Office Manager. Her responsibilities include preparing our staff for broadcasts by creating graphics and compiling ad reads. She also manages our sponsor accounts and handles payroll/invoicing. Lastly she assists George, our leader and owner of Bg State Sports with daily tasks and helps to keep the office running smoothly.
Caitlin Langan
Caitlin Langan is the associate Producer of Big State Sports. Among the many acts she wears, Caitlins main responsibilities include scheduling staff and coordinating special broadcast events or studio shows, all while making sure operations and logistics run well within the company. Her greatest joy in her job is being able to share a space for growth with her colleagues and young, aspiring broadcast personnel.
Caitlin Langan is the associate Producer of Big State Sports. Among the many acts she wears, Caitlins main responsibilities include scheduling staff and coordinating special broadcast events or studio shows, all while making sure operations and logistics run well within the company. Her greatest joy in her job is being able to share a space for growth with her colleagues and young, aspiring broadcast personnel.
Brendan Miske
“Brendan Miske is a passionate Cartoonist and Illustrator holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy. With 2.5 years of experience in animation production, he has contributed to notable shows like Summer Camp Island, Transformers: EarthSpark, and Monster High at award winning studios like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon Animation.”
“Brendan Miske is a passionate Cartoonist and Illustrator holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy. With 2.5 years of experience in animation production, he has contributed to notable shows like Summer Camp Island, Transformers: EarthSpark, and Monster High at award winning studios like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon Animation.”
Vincent Picone
I am a Red Hawk Sports Network broadcasting intern which means I announce all sports on MSU campus and make pieces for them. Along with this I am the new assistant sports Director at our award winning radio station on Campus WMSC. Which entails me scheduling students and teaching them how to professionally announce a game through the radio.
I am a Red Hawk Sports Network broadcasting intern which means I announce all sports on MSU campus and make pieces for them. Along with this I am the new assistant sports Director at our award winning radio station on Campus WMSC. Which entails me scheduling students and teaching them how to professionally announce a game through the radio.
MEDIA CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Roxbury Highschool Lacrosse
Bryan's Lunchonette
Standard Tile
https://standardtilenj.com/
https://standardtilenj.com/
Roxbury Football Fan
Anthony P. Caivano
https://anthonycaivano.com/
https://anthonycaivano.com/
Roxbury High School Baseball
Roxbury High School Soccer
Kingtown Truck Stop