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When the Rochester Beacon a year ago launched its formal internship program, the Oasis Project, it was an experiment. Up to that point, nearly 20 student writers had published their work with us. Driven by our commitment to mentoring emerging journalists, we took the next step.
Three students were admitted to last year’s cohort. Narm Nathan, a recent University of Rochester graduate in data science, continued his work with us after the internship and joins us this summer as a contributing writer.
Having mentored those three students, who still stay in touch, I viewed our foray as a success for the young journalist incubator. Even so, I was unprepared for the response in 2025. The Beacon had nearly 20 applications for the Oasis Project’s second cohort. For a startup news nonprofit, that’s a milestone.
As readers, your support made it possible. So this year, we’ve once again decided to make emerging journalists the focus of our Beacon Community News Fund campaign. The campaign, starting today, will run till June 20, and offers a chance to support these promising writers directly. Every dollar counts.
Eight young writers join our digital publication this week. They will work with us till mid-August, and they’ve chosen to commit their summer to Rochester. Beacon board member Allison Frisch, assistant professor of journalism at Ithaca College, will assist us again.
I am already struck by the second cohort’s dedication to writing and in-depth, independent journalism. While I hope they return to contribute to the Beacon, I am even more excited for the opportunities that lie ahead of them.
Take Justin O’Connor, a former student of mine, who returned to the Beacon after an internship at the Buffalo News. Next month, he begins a new chapter at a Report for America newsroom in Louisiana. I will miss his work, but I am deeply proud of his growth. Your generosity also played a role in it. I can’t wait to see what he brings back—Justin always has a home at the Beacon.
So will this second cohort. Let’s meet them:
■ Liam Conroe
School: Rochester Institute of Technology
Major: Journalism
Home: Jamestown
■ Haley Fromm
School: Rochester Institute of Technology
Major: Journalism
Home: Carlisle, Pa.
■ Alex Holly
School: University of Rochester
Major: Brain and cognitive sciences
Home: Chicago, Ill.
■ Malak Kassem
School: St. John’s University
Major: Journalism
Home: New York City
■ Natalie Opdahl
School: University of Rochester
Major: English language, media, and communication
Home: Wrightwood, Calif. (rural town near Los Angeles)
■ Alefiya Presswala
School: Ithaca College
Major: Journalism
Home: East Brunswick, N.J.
■ Emmely Eli Texcucano
School: University of Rochester
Major: English and public health
Home: Union City, N.J.
■ David Wazana
School: Ithaca College
Major: Documentary Film Production
Home: Los Angeles, Calif.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].