The Suffolk County Football Coaches Association has selected Sachem North senior Alyssa Tappin as the recipient of its first-ever Student Media Award — a distinction created to honor exceptional storytelling, coverage, and commitment to high school athletics. In its inaugural year, the award already has a clear benchmark: Alyssa has redefined what student media can be on Long Island.

Tappin serves as the student station manager of 91.9-FM WSHR and is the primary sideline reporter covering Sachem North football. Her presence became synonymous with Sachem’s season — home or away, regular season or playoffs, Alyssa was on the field, microphone in hand, providing real-time insight with a level of poise and professionalism far beyond her years.

"WSHR has helped shape my Sachem experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to tell our community's story," said Tappin. "To be recognized for my work this season is a great honor, and it shows the caliber of work that Sachem produces. Our media program sets the standard!"

Her multimedia coverage this fall was unmatched. Tappin delivered live sideline updates, produced polished video features, conducted halftime and post-game interviews, and built original reporting into every broadcast. She paired that with dynamic social media storytelling that brought the Sachem community inside the season in a way no student journalist has before. She also hosts recurring sports and community news segments on WSHR, building a loyal weekly audience that spans the district and beyond.

The impact of her work was measurable and extraordinary. Tappin generated more than 350,000 views across platforms this fall, while her regular terrestrial radio segments attracted over 50,000 listeners — numbers rarely achieved by students and seldom by local outlets. Her consistency, enthusiasm, and leadership have made her the face of Sachem media in 2025.

Beyond the press box and sidelines, Tappin is deeply involved in 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 two-sport varsity athlete in volleyball and lacrosse. Her ability to balance these roles while producing professional-quality journalism is a testament to her drive and discipline.

As she prepares to continue her academic and media career in college, Tappin leaves behind a transformative legacy. Her work has elevated the standard for student journalists across Suffolk County and established a new model for how scholastic media can tell the stories of high school athletics with depth, accuracy, and heart.

With this inaugural award, the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association not only honors Tappin’s remarkable achievements — it affirms the lasting impact she has made on Sachem, Long Island, and the future of student sports journalism.

But let's not rush her senior year ... she still has plenty of reporting to do in winter and spring sports!