Port Chester High School students recently took their learning beyond the classroom through “Hoops for a Cause,” a unique fundraiser that combined community impact with real-world experience in sports media.

The event, held in partnership with the Westchester Knicks, supported the Principal's Promise Academy (PPA) and The Port Light, raising funds for future student opportunities while giving participants an inside look at professional sports journalism.

For students, the experience went far beyond attending a game. “It showed that there are organizations in our community willing to partner with PCHS students to create meaningful opportunities in areas like photography and sports journalism,” shared Anthony Apuzzi, a Special Education teacher who helps guide photography for The Port Light, alongside Justin Thomas, who supports student journalists in their reporting. “Students were able to step outside the classroom and gain insight and advice from professionals.”

In the days leading up to the game, students prepared as true journalists. They researched teams, developed interview questions, and submitted them for approval. On game day, they arrived early, observed pre-game operations, tracked the flow of the game, and stayed afterward to conduct player interviews.

“It was an opportunity to step into the shoes of the media and experience what game day is really like,” Apuzzi said. “They practiced public speaking, took ownership of their responsibilities, and worked together to meet deadlines.”

Photos by Jessica Romero, PCHS student and member of The Port Light, the student-run newspaper covering school and community stories.

The experience also reinforced classroom learning through a cross-curricular connection between the Arts and ELA departments, while building valuable social-emotional skills. Students collaborated to write, edit, and design a final story for The Port Light, selecting photos and crafting a narrative that captured the energy of the event.

“What stood out most was how the PPA, The Port Light, and the Westchester Knicks worked together to create something memorable for our students,” Apuzzi noted. “The Knicks go out of their way to expose students to every aspect of the media and game day experience, which is truly invaluable.”

Through partnerships with organizations like the Westchester Knicks, Hudson Valley Renegades, Westchester Soccer Club, and The Capitol Theatre, PCHS continues to provide authentic, career-connected learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation.