Four local journalists spoke about the media’s current tasks and challenges last Thursday at a fundraiser to send 12 members of the Vashon High School Riptide staff to a journalism convention in New York City.

The evening brought in approximately $1,700 according to Jil Stenn, who was the lead organizer of the event, with Anne Atwell.

About 50 people attended to hear the panel, comprised of Leslie Brown, former editor of The Beachcomber; Knute Berger, author and columnist for Seattle Magazine and Crosscut; Eugene Carlson, former Wall Street editor and columnist, and Mary Bruno, author and former editor-in-chief of Crosscut.

The event had several purposes, Stenn said.

“The intention was to not only raise money for The Riptide, but to connect these hidden gems with Riptide students, to forge a relationship there, and to offer a forum for the community on the pressing subjects of the day,” she said.

Her son, Calder Stenn, the associate editor of The Riptide, noted that he appreciated hearing the different perspectives each of the panelists provided. Additionally, he said, he came away with a renewed appreciation for telling all sides of a story.

“That’s something we as a nation and we as The Riptide, like any publication, need to work on,” he said.