Cronkite students win 13 Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards
Students at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication led the field in the prestigious Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards, announced Sept. 6. Recognized for their outstanding media work in a dozen categories, Cronkite students earned 13 wins—more than any other college or university.
Nominated 41 times across 15 categories, Cronkite students scored wins in reporting, writing, sports program, magazine program and more. After sweeping the nominations in the "College Talent – News or Sports" category, two students, Max Williams and Lauren Avenatti, each won awards. Also among the winners: Blake Niemann, now a multimedia journalist at Fox 10 Phoenix, who walked away with two awards.
"Watching one student receive an award of this caliber is really gratifying. Hearing the Cronkite name called out over and over for recognition is really humbling and overwhelming," said assistant teaching professor and Cronkite News managing editor Allysa Adams. "Our students' talent never ceases to amaze me."
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honors the art and science of professionals and students working in television with regional Emmy Awards and Student Production Awards, and it covers the regions of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and southeastern California.
Cronkite School student winners
COLLEGE HARD NEWS REPORT: Voices From Panama – Leah Phillips
COLLEGE FEATURE NEWS REPORT: Grand Champion Family – Blake Niemann
COLLEGE NON-FICTION – SHORT FORM: Us Against U(ranium) – Kanoa Joseph Kalaulani McNicoll Jacang, Samantha Mooth and Karen Bartunek
COLLEGE PUBLIC AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY SERVICE: Gen Z Voters – Denzen Cortez
COLLEGE INTERVIEW/DISCUSSION: Sitdown With ASU's Kenny Dillingham – Devon Henderson
COLLEGE MAGAZINE PROGRAM: Arizona: A Shifting Landscape – Carlisa Poirier, Cristina Robles-Ruiz and Alexandra Zurborg
COLLEGE SPORTS STORY: Playing Through Adversity – Blake Niemann
COLLEGE SPORTS PROGRAM: Cronkite Sports Live Season 22 – Ronan Heykoop, Justin Carter, Ryan Sykora, Luke Galindo, Justin Lacertosa and Gabby Chernoff
COLLEGE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO: Truitt Robinson ASU Hype Video – Truitt Robinson
COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHER: The Glove Lab – Andres Armenta
COLLEGE TALENT – NEWS OR SPORTS: The Best of Max Williams – Max Williams; Best of Lauren Avenatti – Lauren Avenatti
COLLEGE WRITER: Draft Day Journey – Max Zepeda