Jeffrey Merchan, a reporter for the previous 4 years with Peekskill Herald, took dwelling a 3rd place award within the New York Press Association (NYPA) Better Newspaper Contest throughout its annual conference April 23-24.
Merchan, 21, was a common task reporter for the Herald earlier than he switched to protecting Peekskill High School sports activities within the fall of 2024. In March 2025, he added protection of Hendrick Hudson High School, submitting a weekly roundup of each faculty sport, printed on Fridays.
The award-winning story chronicled the challenges soccer player Melvin Criollo confronted after an damage on the sector throughout a Friday night time recreation in October 2025. “It was emotional going to his home and interviewing him,” recalled Merchan in regards to the story he wrote.
The New York Press Association gathered some 300 member information retailers in Saratoga Springs for workshops and networking together with the awards contest. This is the second yr in a row the Peekskill Herald took dwelling an honor. Last yr, judges awarded the distinguished Susan R. Fulmer Community Leadership award to the information group, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary in July.
“We’re extremely proud of the exacting work ethic and the quality that Jeff Merchan brings to his award-winning journalism every day,” mentioned Herald editor Bruce Apar. “Jeff and the rest of the staff are the reason we are able to serve our readers with timely, trustworthy and useful information that contributes to the community’s quality of life.”