Beginning this school year, the student-run Townsend Harris Athletic Association has started to offer THHS sports teams an option to participate in a “Media Day.” These days, which are hosted in the gymnasium or the fifth floor television studio, consist of taking photos to showcase athletes. The photos are typically then posted on the team’s corresponding social media accounts and the Athletic Association page to foster school spirit and engagement between student athletes and the broader school community. 

“I really liked [Media Day] because I was with all my friends on the team, and we were just having a nice time,” said sophomore Imogen Kujo, a member of the girls JV volleyball and girls varsity softball teams.

 Over the first semester of the school year, six teams have already participated in Media Day, with most sharing their photos online.

The event has opened opportunities for students to demonstrate themselves and their growth in their sport, as well as to bring more awareness to the student body regarding the thirty sports teams offered at THHS. Imogen expressed that “not only was [Media Day] a good way to get more publicity for the team, it was also a good way for us to bond as a team.”

Athletic Association President Tabassum Ahmed said that she and co-president Jordan Tsao “noticed that many teams were attempting to do media content on their own” and that she “felt there was a real opportunity to elevate it by offering a more professional, consistent approach.” 

Tabassum said that as part of its planning process, the Athletic Association first held a Media Day for the girls soccer team, and “continued refining the setup until we developed our own custom background and stand. As we gained experience and improved our workflow, we expanded Media Day to more teams.”

Senior girls varsity basketball player Blesyn Henry said that the Athletic Association “definitely made [taking photos] an easier process” by helping athletes with their hair, jewelry, makeup, poses, and more. “They were a helping hand, and their input helped a lot and made the process a lot smoother,” she said.

Likewise, sophomore girls varsity swim athlete Sonia Nistor said that “the photographers were very supportive.”

Each individual photo taken during Media Days can also be used in the Athletic Association’s weekly Instagram posts of the schedule of PSAL matches THHS will participate in throughout that week. The Instagram posts contributed to by these Media Day photos have made student-athletes feel that the school body’s engagement with teams will increase. 

Girls JV basketball player and sophomore Isabella Cohen said that while Media Day pictures for JV teams are still being explored, she has noticed that JV games “do not get a lot of people” compared to varsity games, some of which have also faced difficulty with getting fans. She said she felt that it was possible that “posting would get more [fans]” to games and increase engagement.

As the Athletic Association passes the one year anniversary of its establishment, it plans to continue with Media Day and create new events in order to fulfill its goals of increasing school spirit, supporting student athletes, and organizing athletic programs.

 Tabassum said, ​​”Moving forward, I’d love to continue expanding Media Day to include even more teams and creative elements, while continuing to improve the quality and impact of the content [the Athletic Association] produce[s].”