The Suffolk County Football Coaches Association has selected Sachem North senior Alyssa Tappin as the recipient of its first-ever Student Media Award, created to honor outstanding storytelling, coverage, and dedication to high school athletics. In its inaugural year, the award already has a defining standard: Alyssa has elevated what student media can be on Long Island.
Tappin serves as student station manager of 91.9-FM WSHR and works as the primary sideline reporter covering Sachem North football. Her presence became a constant throughout Sachem’s season — home or away, regular game or playoff matchup, Alyssa was on the field providing real-time insight with professionalism well beyond her years.
“WSHR has shaped my Sachem experience, and I’m grateful for the chance to tell our community’s story,” said Tappin. “Being recognized for my work is an incredible honor, and it reflects the standard our media program sets.”
Her coverage this fall included live sideline updates, polished video features, halftime and post-game interviews, and original reporting built into every broadcast. She paired this with dynamic social media storytelling that brought the Sachem community inside the season in ways no student journalist had accomplished before. She also hosts recurring sports and community segments on WSHR, building a loyal weekly audience across the district.
The impact was measurable. Tappin generated more than 350,000 views across platforms, while her regular radio segments reached over 50,000 listeners — numbers rarely achieved by student journalists.
Beyond the sidelines, Tappin is active throughout school life. She is a member of the Section XI Student Media Team, serves as President of Sachem’s Class Government, and competes as a varsity athlete in volleyball and lacrosse. Balancing these roles while producing professional-quality journalism highlights her drive and discipline.
As she prepares for college, Tappin leaves behind a transformative legacy. This inaugural award honors her achievements and affirms her lasting impact on Sachem, Long Island, and the future of student sports media.