THE GOLD & SILVER CIRCLE – CLASS OF 2025
By Joyce Mitchell
(Clockwise) Larry Beil,Terri Russell, Scott Arthur, Dale Yurong, Jodi Hernandez, Tracy Watowski Silva, Kurtis Ming, Steve Swatt, Randy Forsman, Justin Kanno, Pamela Young
Television professionals who’ve dedicated decades to crafting our industry for current and future broadcasters are going down in history, being inducted into the 2025 Gold & Silver Circle of the SF/NorCal National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The ceremony, held at the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco October 18th, hosted nearly 150 attendees. David Louie (GC Class of 2019, SC Class of 1995) graciously served as emcee and brought a sense of passion for the circles and a flavor of experience.
TV professionals from throughout our diverse and extensive region turned out to celebrate inductees. In all, eleven individuals were honored, and hooded with new Academy Gold & Silver Circle medallions that draped around the neck. Donning the elegant Medal represents an ongoing commitment to excellence and staying power.
Joyce Mitchell and Steve Swatt
Gold Circle witnessed two inductions this year, one that was exceptionally unusual. First, Gold represents a 50+ year commitment to television. That’s a lot. Sacramento Broadcaster Steve Swatt, who covered politics for NBC Affiliate KCRA for years, and continues to do so for various media outlets today, was inducted into the prestigious Gold Circle.
Also receiving Gold this year is Pamela Young from Hawaii. She is the first woman to be inducted into the Gold Circle since the legendary Belva Davis in 2013. Unfortunately, Davis passed away this year. Ironically, Davis mentored Pamela when she was just getting started in the industry. In addition to her ongoing work at KHON 2, Young serves as a SF/NorCal Awards Chair for NATAS. That brings the Gold Circle, started in 1986, to 31 members.
Silver Circle is every bit as robust with nine broadcasters being inducted this year, representing various markets including San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, Reno, and Hawaii. Enthusiasm bounced off the walls throughout the ceremony.
Justin Kanno
Inductees included San Francisco ABC 7 Photographer Scott Arthur, ABC 7 Anchor Larry Beil, Sacramento KCRA 3 Director Randy Forsman, NBC Bay Area Reporter Jodi Hernandez, Hawaii KHON 2 Photographer Justin Kanno, KOLO Lead Reporter Terri Russell, KCRA 3 Anchor Kurtis Ming, ABC 7 Vice President of News Tracey Watkowski Silva, and Fresno ABC30 Anchor Dale Yurong. This brings the Silver Circle that started in 1986 to 313 members.
In addition to spending decades working in TV, both Gold & Silver Circle inductees are also required to have made a difference in their communities or industry, volunteering to enhance the careers of others or making the markets they live in better places to put down roots.
Tracy Watkowski Silva and Rigo Chacon
The beauty of the event is that these esteemed individuals had the opportunity to mingle with NATAS Scholarship recipients. It’s “old meets new” and on-the-spot mentoring almost always occurs. Our Chapter of NATAS invested more than $30-thousand in scholarships this year, helping to ensure future broadcasters will continue standing up for their communities – and Journalism.
A big thank you to the legendary Terry Lowry for her years of service and belief in growing and defining the Gold & Silver Circles. It’s been a job well done.
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Members of the Gold & Silver Circle can purchase the new plaques and medallions
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NOMINATION FORMS: Silver Circle Gold Circle
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
The Silver Circle is not an award — it is a society of honor. To be eligible for membership, individuals must have been actively engaged in television broadcasting for 25 years or more (with at least half of those years in the chapter region), made a significant contribution to their local television markets and distinguished themselves within the industry and the community. Silver Circle inductees are elected by current members of the Silver Circle.
The Gold Circle honors individuals who have been actively engaged in television broadcasting for 50 years or more (with at least half of those years in the chapter region) and who have fulfilled the same criteria as Silver Circle nominees. Gold Circle inductees are elected by the NATAS Chapter Board of Governors.
NOMINATION PROCESS: The Gold & Silver Circle Committee selects nominations from the applications received. The cut-off for induction is determined by the Silver Circle Committee. Voting for the Silver Circle is done by the Silver Circle membership. Voting for Gold Circle membership is done by the Board of Governors.