Victoria Torcasio, an incoming sophomore at Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT), had a highly rewarding summer at the 2024 PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Academy. Selected as one of only 24 students nationwide, Victoria’s participation in this prestigious fellowship marks a significant milestone in her academic and personal development.
At ACIT, Victoria is enrolled in the Media and Graphics program and envisions a future in film and production media. Her media elective teacher, Mr. Piotrowski, recognized her potential through a class project and encouraged her to apply for the PBS fellowship. The application process required her to answer several questions and create a three-minute video discussing her passion for media. Her dedication paid off when she was selected from applicants across the country.
Victoria’s achievement led her to Washington, D.C., where she had the unique opportunity to immerse herself in the world of media and journalism. During her time in the nation’s capital, Victoria heard from a slew of guest speakers on the topics of interviewing, shooting, producing, and editing, all while connecting with her peers and significantly enhancing her technical and communication skills.
She loved meeting students from different states with similar interests. They bonded over picnics, sightseeing days, and intensive lessons. Staying at a hotel in Virginia within walking distance of the Weta Studio, the fellows often found themselves editing until midnight, perfecting projects for their portfolios and reels.
Reflecting on her experience, Victoria shared, “Two years ago, I would have been way too nervous to do something like this. Going to D.C. for the PBS fellowship was surreal. I am proud of how I overcame my communication skills and met so many people with like minds. I am eager to share what I learned with my fellow classmates back at ACIT in the fall!”
Principal Joe Potkay expressed his pride, stating, “We are incredibly proud of Victoria’s accomplishments. Few students her age get such an invaluable experience, especially in a high-profile location like D.C. This is a significant résumé builder for her future endeavors.”
The program provided invaluable insights from industry professionals. Notably, correspondent Nick Schifrin spoke to the students about the power of storytelling, emphasizing that “you have to care about your story for other people to care enough to read it.”
Victoria, along with teammates Dermott Foley and Roury Fitzpatrick, combined their media skills into one final project during the fellowship. They produced an inspiring piece on Vihaan Mathur, a 19-year-old climate activist from McLean, Virginia, currently attending UC Berkeley. Mathur founded YCAT (Youth Climate Action Team) and authored a children’s book to raise climate change awareness among younger generations. His efforts recently earned him the title of Young Explorer by National Geographic. This project took the fellows two full days to produce a three-minute video, getting their feet wet with the intricacies of transcription, lighting, audio enhancement, and labeling files.
Victoria’s favorite parts of the fellowship included learning how to organize projects on the computer and mastering the art of editing. She honed her ability to discern the best content from scripts and soundbites, ensuring quality over quantity. The experience also opened Victoria’s eyes to the possibilities within PBS, where she can envision working on full-length documentary features in production and editing.
She is grateful Mr. Piotrowski encouraged her to apply. Her former teacher added, “Victoria demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the fellowship, producing high-quality work that showcases her talent and commitment. Her experience in D.C. has not only enhanced her technical abilities but also provided her with unique networking opportunities and insights into the media industry. We are confident that this will serve as a strong foundation for her future success.”
About Atlantic County Institute of Technology
For over four decades, the Atlantic County Institute of Technology has been preparing students with the academic and technical skills needed to successfully enter the world of work or continue their education at the college level. ACIT is the most comprehensive technical education facility in Atlantic County, and it is the school of choice for a diverse student body, offering 19 career and technical education programs from which to choose. ACIT’s motto “Pursue What You Love,” encourages students to actively engage in their chosen academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, including various after-school clubs and athletic programs. In addition, 100’s of Atlantic County adult learners are enrolled in the Adult Education Program. Adult learners in the evening school participate in both full- and part-time technical programs.
For more information about ACIT, please visit www.acitech.org.
Photos courtesy of Victoria Torcasio