Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Cougar Crier, the student newspaper of John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, has been named the Best High School Newspaper on Long Island by the Press Club of Long Island.
The honor was announced at the organization’s annual Media Awards ceremony, which recognizes excellence in journalism, storytelling and community service across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The award was based on the publication’s work during the 2025 calendar year.
School officials credited the newspaper’s success to its student leadership and staff, including former editor-in-chief Jack Levitt, a member of the Class of 2025, and current editor-in-chief Madeline Hyman, a member of the Class of 2026.
The Press Club of Long Island evaluates student publications based on several criteria, including writing quality, page design, photography, editorial initiative and coverage of school-related issues.
The Cougar Crier is produced entirely by students and features coverage of news, sports, opinion, features and entertainment. The publication operates under the guidance of faculty advisers Brad Seidman and Dr. Dennis Urban.
The award highlights the newspaper’s commitment to student journalism and its role in informing the John F. Kennedy High School community.
