Coming home to Long Island

New Herald reporter James Mattone

Christina Daly/Herald

Hello readers! My name is James Mattone, a 21-year-old journalist, and I am the new reporter for the Wantagh-Seaford Herald Citizens.

I was raised in Franklin Square, but lived across the street from West Hempstead, attended church in Malverne, and was a student in the Valley Stream School District.

I played Franklin Square Little League baseball under my father, Vincent Mattone, and in the shadow of my three older siblings. My two brothers and only sister were standout athletes at Valley Stream North High School, and following in their footsteps, I earned All-County honors for six consecutive years while I attended North. Except those honors came from the Nassau Music Educators Association, rather from any athletic organization, as I spent more time in the school’s choir and acapella group.

After graduating North in 2014, I left Long Island to study at Boston University’s College of Communication. Seven semesters, several jobs and thousands of airline miles later, I returned to my new home in Rockville Centre with a degree in journalism.

While I am proud to be a Mattone, a Spartan, and a part of the fabric of other communities, I am just as excited to start fresh in the hamlets.

Fortunately, my editor has taught me so much about these two communities within a week of my start date. I am grateful to have a Wantagh native as my guide through these two wonderful communities. 

I joined Richner Communications Inc. because I want to further my journalism career while writing about Seaford and Wantagh. I look forward to meeting the residents that make those towns  great.

I’ve always felt that on Long Island you work for what you want. I’m ready to learn about Seaford and Wantagh and return home.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at jmattone@liherald.com, or at (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.