Graciella Victoria, 17, thought she knew what eating disorders looked like. Then she began interviewing sources for a story on eating disorders among men.
“I had never really thought about eating disorders that much with males,” said Victoria, a rising senior at DeLaSalle High School. “I had so much to say after hearing everything that all the interviewees had to say.”
That kind of perspective shift and deeper learning is exactly what ThreeSixty Journalism’s 2026 Multimedia Storytelling Institute set out to inspire.
Over three weeks, 21 high school students worked in six reporting teams to research, interview, write, film and edit multimedia stories exploring youth mental health. Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, supported by Padilla, and powered by more than 50 industry volunteers, the ninth annual institute gave students a professional newsroom experience.
One team examined how art therapy helps teens express emotions they struggle to verbalize. Another reported on how the Ain Dah Yung Center in St. Paul uses culturally grounded approaches to support Indigenous youth experiencing homelessness and prevent suicide.
One group explored how children and families heal after abuse. Another followed one man’s “Recovery Road,” a 1776-mile journey around the perimeter of Minnesota to raise awareness for youth mental health. Yet another covered teen use of e-cigarettes.
The institute brought together students with a wide range of journalism experience. Returning students served as team leaders while newcomers learned the fundamentals.
“We recruited younger students with no experience alongside returning students with extensive journalism training,” said Denise Huang, ThreeSixty’s associate director of operations and systems. “Youth leadership is at the core of all we do, and we truly lived into it for three weeks.”
JAngelo Moore, a recent graduate of Jefferson High School and returning camper, was a team leader and said the experience was transformational: “The program gave me the opportunity to put out all my skills and passions into [my team]. …I now know what I can do in this world.”
Pechulano Ngwe Ali, Associate Director of Programs, hopes students left the program understanding that their reporting already has value.
“For three weeks, students learned that young people don’t have to wait to contribute positively to society,” he said. “Their reporting can inform, build trust and create meaningful conversations in their communities right now.”
The institute concluded with a celebratory showcase at the University of St. Thomas where students premiered their work for over 120 community members including their families, friends, mentors, volunteers and other supporters. The final day was spent on a field trip to MPR News.
Written stories will publish in the Minnesota Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, MinnPost, and more in August. TV stories can be viewed on ThreeSixty’s YouTube channel; stay tuned for their air dates in local news.
Funding for this project was provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, as part of its commitment to investing in community-led solutions, so everyone has the opportunity to achieve their healthiest life.
