Student Broadcasters Tackle Tough Issues, Win Eddy Awards

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Taking on topics like capital punishment and police and community relations, and asking tough questions like “Is college worth it?”, students from across the archdiocese tackled these issues and many more articulately and with great fervor—and all on camera.
The students, part of the “News and Views” television program, were gathered May 8 at the studios of archdiocesan Instructional Television (ITV) on the campus of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie for ITV’s 42nd annual Eddy Awards. Nearly 100 of the 416 students who participated in News and Views during the school year were nominated for awards.
Roland Chapdelaine, producer of News and Views and the Eddy Awards, said, “The topics chosen by our student broadcasters reflect the issues they see in their world. The way they present their topics—with intelligence, creativity and professionalism—indicates a great deal of maturity on their part. Our student broadcasters are the reason News and Views keeps going strong after 42 years.”
Local television news personalities presented the awards. Master of ceremonies was WNYW-Fox 5 meteorologist Nick Gregory, a former Eddy Award winner from his days at Iona Prep School in New Rochelle; Lonnie Quinn, WCBS-TV; Mary Murphy, PIX-11; Lisa Reyes, News 12 Westchester; and Michael Gargiulo, WNBC-TV.
Winning four awards, including Best Elementary News Team for their show, “The Many Faces of War,” was the team from St. Denis-St. Columba School in Hopewell Junction. The team also won for Elementary Photo Essay (Tyler Beresford, Adrian D’Souza and Michael Faughnan); Feature (Skylar Murphy and Moira Kennedy) and Anchorperson (Caroline D’Agostino and Adrian D’Souza.)
St. Catharine Academy high school in the Bronx won five awards, including Best High School News Team, with the topic, “Educating Girls: An Investment for Society.”
Melody Pujols won an individual award for St. Catharine’s in the Editorial category. She told CNY after the show that winning was quite a shock: “I was really surprised. I’m in disbelief.”
As for her experience with News and Views, she said, “I learned a lot, I felt a lot and I think it’s something I will always carry with me.” The senior, who has been involved with the show for two years, had some sage advice for other students who may want to participate, saying, “Don’t be afraid, especially with public speaking, and always try your best; and if that was the best you can do, that’s what you can be proud of.”
The other categories the school won are: Photo Essay (Aurelyn Espinal); Interview (Vanessa Viji and Jewels Marshall) and the team award for High School Research.
Roseanne Riolo, the girls’ moderator, said, “Every year I work with the girls, it’s a learning experience for me. I appreciate their talents and the gifts they give to me.” She is especially happy because, in her 10 years at the school, she has seen former students involved in News and Views go on to careers in broadcasting. “More and more women are getting into the field. There are no barriers,” she said.
Francesca DiMarco, another senior at St. Catharine’s, is interested in becoming a news anchor. She told CNY that she learned about teamwork and social skills from News and Views. “Even in difficult times, you have your team to support you,” she said. As for winning an award for the team effort, she said, “It’s the best feeling in the world.”

2015 EDDY AWARD WINNERS

 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 

Survey

Christi Kelly and Helena Fortinash, Transfiguration, Tarrytown

 

Photo Essay

Tyler Beresford, Adrian D’Souza and Michael Faughnan, St. Denis-St. Columba, Hopewell Junction

 

Debate

Alexander Godlewski and Dominiqe Treglia, St. Ann, Staten Island

 

Feature

Skylar Murphy and Moira Kennedy, St. Denis-St. Columba

 

Research

Our Lady of Refuge, the Bronx

 

Editorial

David Vasquez and Arianny Santiago, Our Lady of Refuge

 

Graphics

Our Lady of Refuge

 

Interview

Abigail Jeudy, St. Paul, Harlem

 

Anchorperson

Caroline D’Agostino and Adrian D’Souza, St. Denis-St. Columba

 

Moderator of the Year

Robyn Jurgensen, Transfiguration

 

News Team

St. Denis-St. Columba

 

HIGH SCHOOL

 

Survey

Megan Donovan and Erin Gatdula, Maria Regina, Hartsdale

 

Photo Essay

Aurelyn Espinal, St. Catharine Academy, the Bronx

 

Debate

Brandon Prato and Nicholas Sinodinos, St. Joseph by-the-Sea, Staten Island

 

Feature

GinaMarie Napoli and Elizabeth Curanaj, Maria Regina

 

Research

St. Catharine Academy

 

Editorial

Melody Pujols, St. Catharine Academy

 

Graphics

Preston, the Bronx

 

Interview

Vanessa Vuji and Jewels Marshall, St. Catharine Academy

 

Anchorperson

Lauren Fay, St. Joseph by-the-Sea

 

News Team

St. Catharine Academy