Charles Beers Wins Huntington’s Journalism Award
Charles Beers knows a thing or two about writing. A member of Huntington School’s Class of 2015, the teenager was recently presented with the English department’s Journalism Award following four years of exceptional performance.
Co-editor of the Dispatch, Huntington’s student newspaper and co-editor of Et Cetera, the high school’s literary magazine, Mr. Beers was also a class officer throughout high school and served as vice-president of the student government as a senior and president of the English Honor Society.
“In every graduating class, there are few students who can make fellow classmates applaud and reflect with just a few strokes of the pen,” said English teacher Michael Schwendemann, who presented the award to Mr. Beers. “Through writing, Charles Beers blends sarcasm, wit and a writer’s true passion to entertain audiences and to persuade people to commit to worthy causes. He possesses this rare talent along with an understanding of how to use it as a good citizen.”
A National Merit Finalist, Mr. Beers is headed to Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania where he intends to major in English and pre-law studies. He cites “hard work, a positive attitude and perseverance in the face of challenges,” along with the support of his friends, family and teachers as the keys to his success. The teenager was recognized as a Distinguished Senior after earning a grade point average of 90 or higher in every semester of high school.
Huntington’s Journalism Award is presented annually to a senior “who demonstrates excellence in the field of journalism and a genuine passion for reaching perfection in their craft.”
A member of numerous honor societies, Mr. Beers is a two-time winner of Stony Brook University’s Japan Center essay contest. He was a key member of Huntington High School’s first mock trial team.
“Charles went above and beyond expectations in the Dispatch club by working tirelessly on meeting deadlines, improving layout on each issue and encouraging young writers to improve their craft,” Mr. Schwendemann said.