Delphian Staff Wins 9 Awards and 2 Scholarships in Long Island Journalism Contest

By Skylar Dorr

For the thirteenth consecutive year, the staff and contributors to The Delphian were recognized for their journalistic excellence at the Press Club of Long Island’s (PCLI) annual media awards, this year earning nine awards and two scholarships. The event, which was also the PCLI’s 50th anniversary, was held at the Fox Hollow in Woodbury, New York on June 13. 

The Delphian placed twice in the category of Best Newspaper Reporter, with Sports Editor Lilyen McCarthy placing second and the new Editor-in-Chief Joseph D’Andrea finishing in third. The staff won several other awards in the various college newspaper categories. Lizz Panchyk ‘24, won second place in the Race and Diversity category for her article, “As Anti-Trans Bills Pass Anxiety Escalates in AU Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Community.” Andrew Smith ‘24 earned second place in Editorial/Commentary for “Why You Should Consider Adding a Minor.” Lilyen McCarthy got third place in News for  “University’s Foreign Language Requirement for Only Four Programs Explained.” 

In the College Video category, staffers took home awards for: News Package, with Malika Burieva ‘24  and Skylar Dorr winning second place for “Scammers Are Targeting Students” and Feature Package, with Kennie Dionisio ‘24 securing a second-place award for “Best Filipino Eateries in Woodside, NY.”

The Delphian (L-R): Andrew Smith, Kennie Dionisio, Skylar Dorr, Malika Burieva, Lizz Panchyk, Arpan Josan, Hussein Ali Rifath, Liza Burby, Joanna Reid and Joseph D’Andrea

Two members of The Delphian also received the only two college scholarships awarded at the event, with the now-graduated editor-in-chief Panchyk receiving the PCLI College Journalism Scholarship and previous sports editor Smith receiving the PCLI Learning Disability Scholarship. 

“I was honored to represent Adelphi for the second consecutive year,” said Smith. “Being a part of The Delphian for three years and an editor for two was an amazing experience that helped lay the foundation for my professional career.”

The Delphian’s faculty advisor and senior adjunct professor Liza Burby also won three awards for her freelance articles, two of which were published in Newsday and one in Stony Brook Magazine. 

“Though I've had the honor of winning awards from the PCLI for nearly 30 years, what I'm always most proud of is accompanying the students who are being recognized for their hard work for The Delphian,” said Burby. “I get to applaud them as they receive accolades at the beginning of their careers, knowing that they'll soon be among my colleagues. That is always an unexpected bonus of being their advisor. This year was particularly exciting as so many of our talented writers and editors received top awards." 

The PCLI, founded in 1974, is a chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) that advocates for First Amendment rights, ethical standards and training for its members. Students are encouraged to join to network and attend their monthly events at www.pcli.org.