The 2025 Wyoming Student Media Association Convention comes to Powell on Monday, Oct. 20, as Northwest College hosts the annual event bringing together high school journalism students and advisers from across the state. It’s the first time NWC has hosted the program featuring workshops, roundtables, and a variety of competitions.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in several breakout sessions focused on writing, layout and graphic design, photography, videography and software. Adviser roundtables include subjects such as policy, fundraising, and mentoring and support. On-the-spot writing and photography competitions will also be held, and the announcement of the state journalism award winners will be made as well.

The convention runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and opens with an address from keynote speaker Vin Cappiello, former English and journalism teacher at both Cody High School and Powell High School. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, and during a 17-year teaching career in Wyoming, advised both the Cody High School Equus and founded The Prowl at PHS.

Throughout his career, Cappiello has worked as a reporter, editor, and graphic designer. During his time as managing editor of the Cody Enterprise, he led the staff’s Sept. 11 coverage, resulting in several awards from the Wyoming Press Association and the National Newspaper Association. More recently, he placed first in the religion reporting division of the Top of The Rockies contest for his coverage of the LDS Temple opening in St. George, Utah, while serving as associate editor of the St. George News.