Doing the debate, meeting Martha Centereach grad hobnobs with journalists, politicos and the domestic diva herself
By Meagan O'Connell
October 29, 2008 | 03:34 PM Two Hofstra University student reporters, including a graduate of Centereach High School, went from behind the scenes to the spotlight this month. Samuel Rubenfeld, 21, Centereach, and Andrea Klerides, 19, Medford, not only got to attend and work the presidential debate held Oct. 15 at Hofstra University, but subsequently found themselves discussing their experiences on "The Martha Stewart Show" with the domestic diva herself. On the morning of Oct. 15, Rubenfeld — a senior editor for Hofstra newspaper The Chronicle — and Klerides, a student security volunteer who would cover the event for the Hofstra radio station WHRU, appeared on "CBS Morning News" to chat about their debate expectations. Stewart, who would say on her show that she was impressed with the duo's "nonpartisan description of what they have witnessed from both campaigns," invited the students onto her talk show, and they happily obliged. Rubenfeld said he developed an interest in journalism when his sixth grade social studies teacher assigned students to watch a news show every day. The senior majoring in print journalism said he hopes to combine his love for politics with reporting, and to "blaze my own path." He also had an opportunity to report events during the New Hampshire Primary and both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and said the combined experience has been fascinating. "You saw the raw meat of politics going on in front of your eyes," he said. Klerides said she fell in love with journalism working as editor of her high school paper. Her 12th grade political science teacher opened her up to politics, she noted, and now she's a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. She also had the opportunity to report at the New Hampshire Primary and Democratic National Convention, and noted that she enjoyed talking to Americans at both events and learning what issues they cared about most. At the Oct. 15 debate, she was able to question New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Charles Schumer. Both students cited the need for thick skin when competing with reporters from more established news organizations, not to mention appearing live with Martha Stewart. Rubenfeld — who was able to land face time with Gov. David Paterson, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi — said he hopes to work some day as an online political reporter, while Klerides — whose dream job is producing "Good Morning, America" — said she wasn't nervous talking with Stewart, but was concerned about sounding intelligent and remaining poised.