Sports, music and arts
Cover school teams, athlete profiles, student bands, performances and approved local events. Learn to interview, verify facts and capture useful footage.
STUDENT MEDIA PROGRAM
Your school.
Your stories.
Your first portfolio.
A proposed Hamilton pilot for senior high-school students to explore sports reporting, local arts, interviewing and video production—with editorial support from The Northern Current.
Read the program PDF Download the packageUp to five schools · Up to two senior students per school · School partnerships under discussion
LEARN THROUGH ORIGINAL REPORTING
Practical skills.
Real community stories.
A weekly highlight show
Suitable student footage can contribute to a combined Hamilton school-sports edition on TNC and YouTube. Students receive feedback and build a portfolio; publication is subject to editorial approval.
Six introductory lessons
Find a story. Interview. Verify. Capture. Check an AI-assisted draft. Edit and reflect. Students gather the evidence; AI helps prepare drafts; people check and approve the work.
Formal co-op placements require school assessment and agreed hours, supervision and learning arrangements. The introductory program does not itself promise school credit, an accredited credential or a SHSM designation. Proposed initial participation is unpaid; terms and expenses are agreed before activities begin.
PROGRAM SUPERVISION
Meet Kirk Alfaro.
Kirk will supervise student reporting and production on behalf of Game Day Entertainment and The Northern Current.
Kirk founded The Hoopla (TheHoop-la.com) in 2000, covering Ontario basketball through game recaps, scouting reports and news stories. An archived Michigan Insider article identifies him as the founder and quotes his assessment of Jevohn Shepherd, whom The Hoopla named Ontario Player of the Year.
He previously practised as a licensed paralegal for five years, bringing extensive knowledge of public-space filming, trespass and related legal considerations.
His program responsibilities include approving assignments, guiding interviewing and filming, reviewing evidence and student work, addressing concerns and communicating with school co-op teachers. Supervision hours and backup arrangements will be agreed with participating schools.
THE MICHIGAN INSIDER · ARCHIVED COVERAGE
Smith and Legion Advance; Shepherd Player of Year
An archived story featuring The Hoopla’s Ontario Player of the Year award and Kirk Alfaro’s assessment of Jevohn Shepherd.
Expand articleSource: The Michigan Insider. Screenshot supplied by Kirk Alfaro.
FOR SCHOOLS AND GUIDANCE TEAMS
Discuss a school
partnership.
We welcome conversations with co-op teachers and school leaders about a small, supervised pilot. School participation, placement approvals and launch dates are not yet confirmed.
Contact Kirk Alfaro
View the complete PDFSchool sports and arts assignments are supervised and age-appropriate. Sensitive topics go to experienced adult journalists. Participation does not require future enrolment at AAA.