Nancy ‘Miss Nancy’ Besst Memorial Graduate Production Scholarship, $3,000.00

Jerry Jensen Memorial Graduate Journalism Scholarship, $3,000.00

Linda Giannecchini Memorial Professional Development Scholarship, $3,000.00

Fred Zehnder Memorial Undergraduate Journalism Scholarship, $5,000.00

NOMINEES FOR 2024 NATIONAL STUDENT PRODUCTION AWARDS ANNOUNCED

NEW YORK, October 17, 2024 – The Foundation of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 2024 National Student Production Awards. Nominees were selected from high school student entries across the country in 24 programming and craft categories.

“High schoolers from coast to coast submitted some incredible work for consideration this year,” said NATAS Chair, Terry O’Reilly. “These young producers and craftspeople have much to be proud of. Our academy is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent and tireless work of these students.”

More than 2000 entries were submitted to the regional chapters of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Winning entries from the chapters were then submitted for consideration in the National Student Production Awards competition. Entries were judged by selected industry professionals and media academics.

“These young storytellers have not only demonstrated remarkable skill in their craft but have also embraced the power of media to express their unique perspectives. We commend the dedicated teachers and advisors who have nurtured these aspiring filmmakers and journalists, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Together, they are shaping the future of our industry, and we are proud to celebrate their outstanding achievements.” said Dannielle Mannion, Education Chair, NATAS Foundation.

Recipients will be announced November 21, 2024 beginning at 10am (PT) via a web stream produced by NATAS. This and all NATAS ceremonies are available on NATAS’ dedicated viewing platform powered by Vimeo, available on the web at Watch.TheEmmys.TV and via The Emmys® apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV, Roku and Samsung TV (full list at apps.theemmys.tv).

SAN FRANCISCO/NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NOMINEES

Newscast
Searider News, Wai’anae High School (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Denise Pawleen Cabrera, Dillon Catlett, Avanoa Caceres-Tillis, Natasha Maafala, Joelle Angelica Evasco, Shirley Wells, Mya Dinong
John Allen, Advisor

News Report – Serious News
Gross Increase In Groceries, Wai’anae High School (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Dillon Catlett, Denise Cabrera, Avanoa Caceres-Tillis
John Allen, Advisor

Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) or Video Essay
Lifelines, Gunn High School (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Maya Nieman
Edward Corpuz, Advisor

Non-Fiction – Short Form
Nickel & Dime, Tamalpais High School (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Kai Smith, David Bloom, Audrey Lowell, Esha Vaikhary
Michael Lavezzo, Sharilyn Scharf, Jonah Steinhart, Advisors

Public Affairs/Community Service
Guilty Until Proven Wealthy, Tamalpais High School (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Skye Guyot, Will Richardson, Chris Nieker, Jane Song
Michael Lavezzo, Sharilyn Scharf, Jonah Steinhart, Advisors

Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs
Amana, Tamalpais High School (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Mason Le, Kai Smith, Niki Wallin, Julian Goodman
Michael Lavezzo, Sharilyn Scharf, Jonah Steinhart, Advisors

Photographer
Panther Skate, Youth Beat, Oakland Unified School District (San Francisco/Northern California Chapter)
Jordan Cummings, Ally Williams, Kristian Morales
Sagesse Graham, Advisor

LINK TO COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE

2024 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Link to download Application & instructions for Robert Kekaula Hawaiian Student Scholarship

Link to download Application & Instructions for Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship

Link to apply for all other scholarships
Link to download Application and Instructions to apply

ROBERT KEKAULA Memorial
UNDERGRADUATE HAWAIIAN STUDENT Scholarship 

to the outstanding undergraduate Hawaiian student ($5,000)

Underwritten by Janice S. Gin

KITV’4s Robert Kaleimomi Kekaula, suddenly passed in June 2021. He was the Managing Editor at the station, played a considerable role in the lives of many colleagues, and touch the hearts of many in the community.  Always dressed in an aloha shirt and shorts, even on air, Kekaula was considered TV Titan in Hawaii. He was proud to represent Native Hawaiians and its culture and values.

Kekaula was O’ahu-born, spent his boyhood in Kailua-Kona and graduated high school from Kamehameha in 1983.  Kekaula started attending classes at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. But as he said, he took the “scenic” route, finally graduating from UH in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.

Described as a ‘warrior,’ during his time at Island News, Kekaula worked on and off-air, serving as a role model, mentor and coach to those whom he worked closely.   His broadcast career started in radio in 1986 at KHVH. His first job in television came in 1987, at KGMB, as a weekend sports producer. In 1989, Kekaula joined the KITV staff as a weekend sports anchor/reporter. He left for KHNL in 1994, only to return to KITV in 1997 as sports director. In 2017, Kekaula became the nightly news co-anchor sharing the desk with Paula Akana.  In 2020, Kekaula took on a news management role to become the Managing Editor at KITV.

The local newspaper wrote, “the multi-talented Kekaula was best known for his decades-long career as a sportscaster, where he delivered reports with the vibrancy to match his bright custom-tailored aloha shirts.” He had been the color commentator for the University of Hawaii football games on radio and television from 1992 to 2010.  In 2011, he was named the TV play-by-play voice of the Warriors.  They say his contacts were so strong in the UH sports community that colleagues nicknamed him the “General Manager.”

As a singer and songwriter, Kekaula shared his talents with island fans, recording three solo albums: “Kanak Attack,” “Daddy’s Little Girl,” and ” about Everyday People”. In addition, he owned his own music production company, “A Guava Ding Thing,” also serving as Executive Producer on three other recordings, two of which won numerous Na Hoku Hanohano honors (top island music awards).

Kekaula was a prolific creative writer. He produced many noteworthy news and sports TV specials.  In 2020, he was nominated for a regional EMMY for writing and storytelling.

Link to  download Application & instructions for Robert Kekaula Hawaiian Student Scholarship

FRED ZEHNDER Memorial
UNDERGRADUATE JOURNALISM Scholarship 

to the outstanding undergraduate journalism student ($5,000)

Underwritten by Friends of Fred Zehnder

Fred Zehnder dedicated his life to journalism, working in newspapers, radio and broadcast television news. He died unexpectedly in 2021 at the age of 87 and was still working 40-plus hours a week as the publisher of his two weekly newspapers in the East Bay.

Fred began his broadcast career as an assignment editor, cameraman, editor and producer at TV and radio stations in Northern California. He was committed to fair, ethical journalism, and he instilled those standards in everyone who worked for him. For an unheard-of 21 years, from 1978 to 1999, Fred was News Director at KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland, then owned and operated by Cox Communications. He selected people who didn’t always fit the mold for on-air and behind-the-camera jobs. Fred looked for people who shared his passion for solid television journalism. The formula worked. His newsroom became highly respected and consistently drew the highest ratings and local, state and national broadcast awards. Under his leadership, “The 10 o’clock News” became the No. 1 prime-time newscast in the country.

This scholarship was created to honor the man who launched and nurtured hundreds of careers and who was revered by the people who worked for him, with him, and those who wished they could have been part of what he created.

We are looking for journalists who would be honored to receive the Fred Zehnder Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship and will carry forward the kind of journalism Fred championed

Link to download Application & Instructions for Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship

Link to download Application and Instructions to apply

LOUISE JORJORIAN Memorial OVERALL EXCELLENCE Scholarship

to the outstanding overall student ($5,000)

Beloved broadcaster Louise Jorjorian established her life and career in San Francisco in radio and television, landing her first job as Publicity Manager for KGO radio, and then became Promotion Director for KSFO Radio, where she worked for 25 years.

LINDA GIANNECCHINI Memorial PROFESSIONAL Development Scholarship

to the outstanding professional returning to complete degree ($3,000)

Linda Giannecchini is our most renowned local and national NATAS leader.  She previously served as National Vice Chairman, Vice President, Secretary and Trustee. Locally, Linda is a past President and chaired the Awards, Scholarship and Speakers’ Bureau Committees. Linda currently serves as Co-Chair of the Media Museum of Northern California Consortium, and the Archives/Museum Committee. She’s an Emmy® award recipient, member of the Silver Circle, class of 1997, recipient of the 2011 Governor’s Award and 1990 Governors’ Service Medallion.

JERRY JENSEN Memorial
Graduate Journalism Scholarship

to the outstanding graduate journalism student ($3,000)

Jerry Jensen anchored News Scene 7 on KGO with Van Amburg for more than ten years until his death on March 26,1984. Jerry died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 49. Jensen joined KGO-TV in 1969 as the weekend anchor. Prior to channel 7, he anchored at KBHK and KRON. Jerry was awarded the NATAS Governors’ Citation in 1968.

 “MISS NANCY” BESST Memorial GRADUATE Production Scholarship

to the outstanding graduate production student ($3,000)

“Miss Nancy” Besst, one of the founding members of the NATAS Northern California Chapter, started her career in Baltimore, MD as a staff teacher for Romper Room. Moving to San Francisco she became “Miss Nancy” on Romper Room from 1958-1969. She hosted many programs on KQED, KGO, KRON and KBHK. Nancy is a member of the Silver Circle, 1988, and has received the Governors’ Service Medallion, 1994; Governors’ Citation, 1996, and the Governors’ Award, 1998.

SHELDON “SHELLY” FAY Memorial UNDERGRADUATE Videography Scholarship

to the outstanding undergraduate videography student ($3,000)

The family and friends of Shelly Fay started a scholarship to an outstanding videographer. Shelly was a multi-talented television professional who worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as a producer, photographer, director and editor for more than 25 years, mostly at KPIX-CBS5.

RIGO CHACON UNDERGRADUATE REPORTING Scholarship

to the outstanding undergraduate student in news reporting ($3,000)

Multiple Emmy® award-winning television reporter Rigo Chacon, now retired, worked at KGO-ABC7 for 29 years as a general assignment reporter and opened the first Santa Clara County bureau of a San Francisco-based TV station. Among his many honors, Chacon is a member of the Television Academy’s prestigious Silver Circle.  He Received the Governors’ Award i 2003.  Rigo and his wife Lucy offer student scholarships thru their foundation Abrazos and Books.

PETER J. MARINO, JR. Memorial Undergraduate Production Scholarship

to the outstanding undergraduate journalism student ($3,000)
Peter Marino was a stalwart member of the Chapter and co-founder of the Scholarship Program. He was well known for his public relation exploits, and as a music and video producer. Marino was a principle in a Bay Area recording studio and represented several recording companies. This scholarship covers a variety of production job disciplines.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Link to download Application and Instructions to apply

Link to download Application & Instructions for Fred Zehnder Journalism Scholarship

Link to download Application & instructions for Robert Kekaula Hawaiian Student Scholarship

NOTE: The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter Scholarships are for college students only. High school students may also apply for the NATAS Chapter High School Student Awards of Excellence. Contact the NATAS office for more information at 650-341-7786.

Scholarships Donations:
TV ACADEMY FUND, INC.
4317 Camden Avenue
San Mateo, CA  94403-5007

CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE

The TV Academy Fund is a 501(c )(3) nonprofit charitable organization.
#94-3172275

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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PRODUCITON AWARDS RECIPIENTS

Link to view/print Press Release