The Feather visits The Vanderbilt as their first stop on their week-long stay in the Big Apple.

For over 25 years Feather journalism teams have traveled to New York participating in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Spring Journalism Conference. This year, 16 students attend the 102nd anniversary of distinguished journalism education, while also teaching six sessions. The CSPA honors The Feather as a Digital Crown recipient for the 2025-26 year. This is Days 1-3 as the team tours the Big Apple during the week of March 14-21.  

Temperamental weather and iconic sights greet travelers and locals as the 2025-26 NYC Feather Team touches down in the Big Apple. With 16 students, five chaperons and two advisers, The Feather Online has traveled from the Pacific to the Atlantic to join Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Spring Journalism Conference. The team landed on Saturday, March 14, and jumped right into the city that never sleeps. 

The first three days of their time in NYC were set aside to acclimate to city culture and embrace the hustle and bustle of The Big Apple as touring journalists, with Advisor Kori James and Writing Coach Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young leading the way. 

Feather students soar above city at Summit One Vanderbilt 

The first stop of the day was The Summit One Vanderbilt, a 93-story skyscraper overlooking the city, including multiple rooms of optical illusions. In a quick and shaky elevator ride to the top, Feather students entered a fully mirrored room, showing off New York’s tallest buildings and allowing a clear view through the clean glass. 

Senior Austin Kinzle explored the Summit for the first time ever, coming to New York City with high expectations and enthusiasm. 

“Walking out of the elevator and onto the top floor was a surreal experience that I had always heard about and it was so cool to see for myself,” Kinzle said. “The architecture inside was super unique and creative and I would totally recommend visiting Vanderbilt for its unique atmosphere and amazing sights.” 

Students explore the city on foot

James led a walking tour throughout the historic streets of NYC, expertly pointing out the most notable sights. Between her background in history and her numerous trips to The Big Apple with CSPA, James was a well-versed tour guide during their time. 

They traversed their way to the largest historic transportation hub in the world, known as Grand Central Station. The newly renovated station provides not only transit needs but also satisfies even the pickiest of eaters with over 70 food spots throughout the plaza. Most notably was Shake Shack, which originated in New York, and Magnolia Bakery, home of the viral banana pudding.

Walking throughout the city, the students picked up warm scarves and fur hats at pop-up booths to keep up with the ever-dropping temperatures. Their tour led them to The New York Public Library which is yet another space where students were exposed to unique architecture through marble statues and grand bookshelves. 

Times Square, with its digitalized billboards and vibrant energy, became a must-stop spot. The streets were full of bright lights, quick-changing advertisements and loud music. The crew witnessed street performers who danced in bright sweat sets with music blasting over the speakers. 

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The Feather

NYC is the city that never sleeps; people can be found walking the streets of Times Square during all times of the day.

Home to the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street is another bucket-list worthy destination the crew visited. The group navigated the streets between tall buildings, rode the subway across town and savored the iconic New York bagel. The walking tours concluded with two historical stops: The Fraunces Tavern and Alexander Hamilton’s Grave. The Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Manhattan and was a meeting spot for the Sons of Liberty, George Washington and other historical figures. 

Located in the Financial District, Alexander Hamilton’s grave was the last stop. In a churchyard, a large white monument marked Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth’s burial site. These historical sites contrast the bustling energy of NYC by highlighting the city’s roots. Senior Jacob Christensen ventured into New York for the first time, admiring historical landmarks and hidden gems throughout the city. 

“One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing all the famous historical locations and landmarks scattered across the city, creating a contrast against the towering skyscrapers,” Christensen said. “Going to a tavern where Founding Fathers drank, Wall Street and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, amongst other monumental locations was so cool and like nothing I had ever seen before.”

Sunset cruise takes the team sightseeing to iconic landmarks

Braving the cold, Feather students hopped on a sunset cruise to see the most iconic parts of New York while in the waters of the New York Harbor. On this 90-minute cruise, students and chaperones sat on the top deck, exposed to the biting wind but benefiting from the clearest views. The Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, New York Harbor and most of lower Manhattan. All were breathtaking sights, enthralling for first-time visitors and returners alike.

Freshman Nicolla Elbert, a first-year photojournalist, bundled up for the windy sightseeing and enjoyed the various sights through the lens of her camera. 

“It was so fun to see all of the night lights and Statue of Liberty up close alongside an amazing team,” Elbert said. “I loved being able to take such cool photos and despite the cold, stayed cozy from bundling up and keeping on lots of layers.”

Feather staff reflects on 9/11

Day two began with students rushing through the revolving doors of the Empire Hotel at 8 a.m., dashing past pedestrians and making their way to the subway. Emerging from the steps of the WTC Cortland subway exit, the somber skies above shrink the skyline drizzling on the Feather staff as they set forth to the 9/11 museum.

Once one of America’s financial epicenters, the Twin Towers made themselves known in the horizon, looking down upon the city and its people below. Today, eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center are dedicated to the lives lost, listing names along the two massive square pools set in the exact footprints of the previously standing towers.

The 9/11 Museum & Memorial is open to the public six days a week, serving as a powerful reminder to the tragic events. The museum takes you through the Sept. 11 timeline, allowing for a first-person experience on what unraveled during the horrific events. Each room is filled with remnants of the destruction and impactful testimonies that help viewers to visualize the true loss during the tragedy.

First time visiting students shuffled through the scenery while veterans of the team who have ventured with James to New York before made their way up to the One World Trade Center Observatory.

First year journalist and history columnist Sophia Feldkamp deeply admires all things historical, taking on the challenge of writing a 9/11 Memorial article to detail the Feather’s journey through the museum. 

Leaving the somber and reflective memorial, The Feather crossed the busy street to a huge abstract structure known as The Oculus, a large multi-level food and shopping complex. From Eataly to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, the group wandered around enjoying hearty food, shopping and a down time before their next adventure. 

The Feather goes behind the scenes of ABC Studios

Stepping off the subway in Hudson Square, The Feather staff put on their most charming smiles to enter into the newsroom at ABC studios for a tour of the 18-floor building. Guided by Executive Digital Content Producer Rolando Pujol, the group explored various rooms to see the dynamic and hard work that goes into covering live news. 

Caleb Eldridge, ‘26, who currently writes a Feather column and hosts a podcast, aspires to pursue a career in the news industry as a sports broadcaster. 

“ABC Studios was an eye-opening experience for me,” Eldridge said. “I really love technology, broadcasting and all sorts of television production so seeing that in action gave me a new perspective on the industry. Sitting in the chairs of famous news anchors and being in front of the camera was truly a once in a lifetime experience.”

Journalists peruse The Met

The crew embarked on their last day of exploring into Manhattan to watch the end of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. With all shades of green and the harmony of bagpipes filling the streets, the group witnessed the giant celebration of Irish culture.

Just across the street from the parade, the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art beckoned students to celebrate cultures of the world and even ancient history. Known by most as The Met, the renowned museum is the largest NYC museum, spanning over two million square feet. In 1870, during the first seven months of its existence, it only held a single piece of art; a Roman sarcophagus. Now, the museum hosts over 1.5 million pieces from vast time periods. 

Art is a universal language that speaks to all. Danielle Arndt, ‘26, has ambitions to be a history professor, and found merit in the diverse collections of art and people The Met had to offer. 

“The beauty of art is it is not meant to fit an archetype; it can be as eclectic as the people consuming and creating it,” Arndt said. “As a kid fascinated with Greek mythology who read Percy Jackson fervently, seeing the tangible inspiration for my childhood obsession reignited my passion for historical art.”

“The Outsiders” take center stage

The Feather headed to PJ Clarke’s restaurant for an early dinner, where they enjoyed elevated American cuisine such as burgers, short ribs and their famous chicken pot pie. Refueled and ready for the night ahead, the students headed to the Theater District for a highly anticipated evening on Broadway, where the Tony Award-winning show “The Outsiders” took center stage. 

The show follows the story of a group of teenagers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where two rival groups: the Greasers and the Socs, whose lives are drastically defined by social class. As the show continued the audience was captivated by the energy and enthusiasm by the actors. When the show concluded, it was clear that the performance had left the group amazed yet reflective. 

Sophomore Sophia Feldkamp deeply admired the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” being moved to tears at the signing afterwards.

“It was absolutely amazing to meet the cast and get signatures afterwards because I’ve been such a big fan of the book and the movie and couldn’t wait to see the musical. I didn’t think that I’d get as emotional as I did because I knew the ending, but the actors portrayed all of the rules so accurately,” Feldkamp said. “Even though some of the storyline wasn’t the same, the way they portrayed it was incredible. Broadway was just such an amazing experience for me, and I would so love to go again 100 more times; it was definitely the highlight of my trip.”

Keep an eye out for a review on the show written by A&E Editor Madeleine Durham.

The Feather crew toured the Big Apple like it was their job – exploring the diverse food, unique cultural blend and city life with enthusiasm, creating new memories to bring home to their families and school community.

Keep up with The Feather for continued coverage of the team’s time in NYC as they join the CSPA Spring Journalism Conference. Friday, The Feather will accept a national crown award in honor of their successful season. 

To read more from The Feather visit FC Choirs and Band performs in annual World Strides Heritage Festival and Book Review: ‘Fantium’ smashes magic and merits together.