Junior News Editor, Rory White, spent a weekend at Harvard University for a journalism training program

By Grace Pearson, Editor-in-Chief

April 14, 2025  

SANFORD, Maine – SHS junior and Spartan Times News Editor, Rory White, traveled to Harvard University on April 5 and 6, for a summit with the Harvard Crimson. The summit is for high school journalists with any level of experience. 

The Harvard Crimson is the student-run Harvard University newspaper. The newspaper was founded in 1873 and is the nation’s oldest daily newspaper from a college.

During the conference, White got to network with journalists from publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and more. 

“I met a lot of new friends, and this was really the first time I was able to experience the world in a scholarly matter but still being independent,” said White. 

The Harvard Crimson provides an opportunity for students to work with their editors as well as fellow attendees. Participants will improve their reporting skills, further their interest in journalism, and develop new ideas that they can then implement into their own newspapers.

The Crimson has different branches with a newspaper that runs daily, educational programs, and a weekend magazine. 

“We connect curious young minds with mentors at the tops of their fields. From journalism to business, our students learn from the best and leave our conferences ready to make a difference in the world,” said the Harvard Crimson. 

Notable alumni who worked in the Harvard Crimson are Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Susan Wojcicki. 

White was able to learn a lot during the trip and was able to further her journalism skills in many ways. 

The Crimson’s journalism summit is put on every year and students can apply to attend on the Crimson’s website. They reached out to high schools across New England, so Spartan Times Advisor, Kelly Foley, posted the opportunity to all of her Journalism 2 students.