A legend in the journalism classroom recently returned to his old stomping grounds, still dedicated to his quest to inspire high school journalists. 

As students from around the state gathered for the Wyoming Student Media Association State Convention on October 20, Vin Cappiello, former PHS journalism adviser, greeted them as keynote speaker and workshop host. 

“The five years I spent at PHS were very special,” Cappiello said. “Wonderful staff, great students, great community, and there’s a real commitment to excellence there. Everybody is committed to the same cause, and that is having high expectations of students, and that’s one of the things I loved about teaching there.”

Many might not know the work that goes into starting such a successful journalism program such as the PHS Prowl, but Mr. Cappiello knows firsthand.  

“I first proposed the idea [of a journalism program] to the language arts staff at a meeting; everybody was in support of it,” Cappiello said. “We put together a plan to implement it, and there was really never any resistance. And that was one of the things that impressed me so much, was that here we had another opportunity for students to start a digital newspaper. I was very proud. I was just the person who spearheaded it, but everybody was all in right from the beginning.”

Since the beginning of the Prowl, Cappiello has been instrumental in inspiring many journalists, but there had to be someone who lit the flame for him. 

“I was in first grade, and our elementary school in New York produced a little newspaper every year… and then I was on the newspaper staff in middle school and high school, and I was on the yearbook staff in high school,” Cappiello said. “I learned to read not by reading books; I learned to read by reading the newspaper with my dad. And somebody saw something in me in high school, a writing teacher who said that I could probably do something with that someday.”

And do something he did. Cappiello went on to have a very prestigious career outside of teaching, winning awards for his writing, including an article that won first place in Top of the Rockies: Religion News.

“I’m one of those lucky people who not only got to practice journalism, but I got to teach it,” Cappiello said. “Having the experience of being in a newsroom, whether it was Ohio, Idaho, Wyoming, and then most recently, Utah, kept my skills sharp, kept me up to date on the latest trends of reporting and delivering news. But I always felt the call to teach as well.”

During his teaching career, Cappiello found something he truly loved with a community he loved. 

“My wife’s an elementary educator; she inspired me to get my teaching certificate,” Cappiello said. “To be able to teach the craft that you love in a community that supports it, with students who are willing to go the extra mile. What more could you ask for? For me, it was a perfect career setup, and I value that so much.” 

Moving between different states and high schools, Cappiello has lived many lives and has experienced more than most journalists could dream of. 

“I always thought I wanted to be nothing but a sports writer,” Cappiello said. “And then I started writing human interest features, and I started writing a column. So I’ve done everything from crime reporting on up to being full editor-in-chief of a publication.”

Though all of those experiences and jobs were amazing, it would all come back to one thing for Cappiello. 

“For me, honestly, it’s the writing,” Cappiello said. “It’s the written word where everything begins. I’ve covered amazing events in my career, but the best stories are the off-the-beaten-path ones where you find the real story behind the story.”

With Cappiello being instrumental in building the WSMA, returning to the state event was a full-circle moment that brought great pride and reflection. 

“The first one of these I went to was in 2005; it’s been three years since my first,” Cappiello said. “And to see that auditorium full this morning, having to bring in chairs and people being involved in the presentation, seeing advisors on the edge of their seats, the sessions. This is a fantastic event, and good on WSMA for getting it to this level and keeping it going all these years, and for the students. Really, at the end of the day, that’s what’s most important, that we’re giving students opportunities.” 

After such a lengthy career as Cappiello’s, it becomes necessary to find and remember the purpose in the work. 

“I feel honored when I am asked to tell somebody else’s story,” Cappiello said. “If more people would think along the lines of it being an honor, that you’re going to trust me enough to share this information with readers. That’s a gift, and I’m proud to be a part of it and have been most of my life.”

Cappiello’s a legend, and as most legends do, he leaves some words of advice for all aspiring journalists. 

“Go for it,” Cappiello said. “Don’t hold back right now. The world needs responsible, ethical journalists who are willing to put up with a lot of criticism. It’s a hard job, it’s always been a hard job. You should be willing to be that person… to seek truth and report it. I know there’s some people out there right now, and you’re thinking, ‘I can’t do that.’ Well, we want to hear what you have to say. We all do okay.”