It was a day that students would remember – forever. New York Yankees pitching ace Gerrit Cole stopped by the Playing With Purpose journalism class which NYVGCC teaches at the Bronx’s Lab School of Finance and Technology.
As the class began and before the guest arrived, we helped students create and organize their questions with the help of educator David Fulco. There would be two interviews. One was led by Saniah Etienne, our newest Circle intern. Questions would be both serious and light, including questions about Cole’s foundation, which was founded “to improve the standard of living for students across the country.” There were one of two video game-related questions as well. (In the video above, the star athlete talks about playing Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball, and a bit on MLB The Show.)
Through all the hubbub leading up to the interview, it was Saniah who was the calmest student in the room. And she didn’t nod repeatedly in excited agreement when the interviewee was answering questions. She just did her job. That’s always a sign of future journalism pro.
After Saniah was done, the school social media team asked 10 rapid fire questions, which they, too, had put together just before the event. They had fun, engaging questions, but we helped to add one or two as well.
It’s almost an understatement to say that Gerrit Cole is one of the biggest names in the world of baseball. But he came off as down to earth – and he was interested in what the students had to say. That’s not to indicate some students weren’t nervous. One journalist student said he was shaking during the photos that were taken after the interviews.
In the future, however, students would remember the time Gerrit Cole came to the Lab School. They will tell their children about the visit when the get married and have kids. They’ll talk about the journalism class they took and how they created questions for a legend. At NYVGCC’s Playing With Purpose program, we were proud to have played a small part in that memorable, remarkable day.
