Three Marblehead High School seniors are gaining real-world journalism experience this spring as part of the school’s senior project program, tackling everything from sports coverage to interviews with local officials while learning the fundamentals of community reporting.
John Bender, Marc Grazado and Peter Sullivan have been spending their last days of high school chasing down stories, contributing to editorial meetings, attending public meetings and exploring civic institutions.
“I wanted to do something that would not only benefit myself, but contribute to something greater,” said Bender, who first explored journalism in middle school. “I also wanted to learn a new skill, or improve my skills.”
Inside the Current
The internship structure over a nearly two-month period mirrors professional newsroom operations.
There are Monday and Thursday story meetings. Students receive story assignments with deadlines.
Sullivan has covered changes to the high school track team. Grazado wrote a softball season preview focusing on how the team is moving forward after their coach’s passing last year. Bender wrote about senior projects across the school.
“I have always been best at writing when it comes to academics and journalism is a field I can see myself in the future,” Grazado said of his decision to pursue the internship.
For Grazado, the Current internship isn’t his first journalism experience. He contributed to Marblehead Youth News, a local-access cable show produced by students through MHTV. He remembers interviewing Shalane Flanagan, who made history by winning the 2017 New York City Marathon.
More than a byline
The internship has extended beyond the newsroom with field experiences designed to build civic literacy. Students recently visited the Marblehead Museum to examine historical newspapers and political cartoons by local artist Marty Riskin.
They got a tour of the fire department’s headquarters and a fire truck ride with Fire Chief Jason Gilliland behind the wheel. They attended their first Town Meeting.
“Working this internship has taught me that news is important no matter where it is reported,” Sullivan said.
The interns have also explored Abbot Hall, climbing to the top of the clock tower to see the historic gearworks, giving them a unique perspective on the town they’re covering.
Sullivan, who plans to study journalism at Boston University after graduation, entered the program with specific career goals.
“When I first thought about this internship, my biggest goal was to write an article that reached many people,” Sullivan said. “I wanted to make an impact, however big or small, through my writing.”
For Bender, the experience has rekindled an interest in journalism that began years earlier.
“I like to think of journalism as a combination of all of my curiosities and interests.” He will attend Fordham University, enrolling “undecided, however thinking communications.”
The senior project initiative at Marblehead High School allows qualifying students with good academic standing to pursue career exploration, academic research, artistic expression or community service during the final weeks of their high school experience. Students must maintain at least a C-minus average and strong attendance to participate. The program culminates with a reflective paper, formal presentation and public gallery walk where students showcase their experiences.
Curious and captivated
All three interns bring diverse interests to their journalism work. Bender practices astrophotography and enjoys sailing. Grazado has played soccer his whole life and creates music. Sullivan describes himself as “a massive comic book nerd” who has competed on the school’s cross-country and track teams since freshman year.
This range of perspectives enhances their reporting approach.
“I believe my generation consumes their news through mostly social media sites, like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, rather than television and radio news,” Bender noted, highlighting how the internship bridges traditional reporting skills with evolving media landscapes.
For these three aspiring journalists, the experience offers professional skills, community connections and personal growth – elements they collectively describe as “curious,” “enjoyable,” “captivating,” “exciting” and “ready.”
