On Oct. 15, students from Verrado High School’s Viper Times and Film & TV classes gathered at Arizona State University (ASU) to celebrate the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association’s (AIPA) 75th anniversary.
The event featured engaging breakout sessions focused on photography, broadcast journalism, and navigating controversial topics in student publications.
A standout presentation by photographer Brian Tucker captivated attendees as he shared insights from his experiences documenting the underground hardcore punk scene of the early 1980s.
Tucker stressed the importance of seizing every moment, encouraging budding photographers to capture everything from jewelry and outfits to performances and candid interactions, highlighting that what seems insignificant today may become vital later.
Another session tackled the challenge of discussing controversial issues in high school media. Students learned strategies for approaching sensitive topics, especially when navigating the school administration’s preferences.
“Investigative journalism is most interesting when you are beneath the surface” Sam Lupa, the Barrett College presenter added.
“The presentation had a lot of good tips with dealing with administration” Maely Levie, a student journalist here at VHS added, “But he focused a lot on what do with an administration that checked through everything, and less on what our situation is – an administration that more leaves us alone”
This vital seminar underscored the need for clear communication and understanding when addressing difficult subjects in their publications.
Aria Anderson, a student journalist with a contrasting opinion, remarked, “The session was very relevant to Verrado. We’ve had a couple of problems with the admin not liking our angle on pieces, and that’s caused issues for us.”
The excitement continued with a special guest appearance by ASU alumnus Josh “Crisco Kidd” Carmona, a renowned radio host. Carmona inspired students to explore diverse paths in media, reminding them that success doesn’t require sticking to traditional career trajectories.
The day concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding journalism, Yearbook, and film work across Arizona. Verrado High School stood out, earning accolades in various journalism categories, including features, videos, and opinion pieces. The Film and TV classes were also celebrated for their exceptional student films, such as “Crumbs,” “Soup,” and “35 Minutes.”
