June 10, 2020 Welcome and Congratulations to our Fox 61 Student News Nominees
1 Is Proud to Support Our Leaders & Professionals Of Tomorrow!
To learn more about what Big Y is doing to support our communities, visit bigy.com/Community 2 Greetings to all of the talented participants of the Fox61 Student News program.
I had the pleasure of attending the launch of this season and saw firsthand the creativity and hard work that you and your peers put into your broadcasts. The thing that stood out to me the most is that those stories were created and told through your perspective as Connecticut high school students. Student voice is powerful - this program empowered you to elevate your voice and you embraced that opportunity by producing some fascinating content on topics of importance to the residents of our state.
College and Career Readiness is a priority for us at CT State Department of Education, as hands- on learning experiences are becoming increasingly import- ant to colleges and employers. Your participation in this program is an asset and puts you one step ahead of many of your peers as you apply to college and make post-graduation plans.
In addition to getting a firsthand look at the world of broadcast media, I hope you also learned something about yourselves, about making your voices heard, and recognize the value of this experience toward shaping your postsecondary and career goals. I am so proud of each of you and inspired by your dedication to your own growth and development. I would also like to thank Fox61 for providing this unique opportunity to Connecticut students.
Congratulations and best of luck – especially to our class of 2020 – on your future success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Miguel A. Cardona Commissioner of Education Connecticut State Department of Education
3 History of Fox 61 Student News
The Fox 61 Student News is more than 25 years old, but it has had some changes over the years.
Originally called Fox 61 Kids News, we auditioned students all over the state to record introductions to news stories. Eventually, the program evolved into having students produce their own stories. Those stories were aired during programming for young people in the morning and afternoons.
In the mid-1990s, along with corporate sponsors, we started awarding scholarships to students and money for video equipment to the schools who produced the best story during the school year. The award ceremony drew students, teachers and family members from around the state for an exciting afternoon.
Along with the award program, Fox 61 staff would visit schools to talk about careers in journalism, and to provide feedback to the student’s stories.
During the late 2000s, the program moved online, offering schools a chance to show their work to anyone who could access the web.
Many students have taken part in the program over the years. Some have used the experience to help them with public speaking and presentation skills, while others have gone on to successful careers in broadcast journal- ism. Will Ripley and Jessica Schneider both appeared in stories from Man- chester High School and are now reporting for CNN, Will as an International Correspondent based at the network’s Hong Kong bureau and Jessica as a justice correspondent based in Washington, D.C.
Dion Lim, from Haddam-Killingworth High School, now works as an an- chor at ABC 7 KGO in San Francisco
We are proud to show the student’s stories and help their education with this unique program.
4 Watch Fox 61 Student News Stories
Friday & Saturday at 7am
5 Awards Ceremony Agenda
Welcome Remarks Celebratory Messages From Invited Guests Awards Announced Closing Remarks
Our Fox 61 Student News Committee Members
• Liz Barry, Executive Producer, News and Special Projects • Rob Croce, Account Executive • Chelsea Deziel, Executive Assistant to the General Manager • Bruce Fox, Account Executive • Trish Hesslein, Community Marketing Manager • Freddie Matthis, Assistant Chief Photographer, News • Barbarajean Marshall, Account Executive • Michelle Mulligan, Local Sales Manager • William Murphy, Creative Services Director • Janet Robinson, Local Sales Manager • Doug Stewart, Producer, Digital News Content
6 Our Fox 61 Student News 2019 Judges
• Liz Barry Executive Producer, News and Special Projects • Aisha Mbowe Morning News Anchor • Keith McGilvery Morning News Anchor • Freddie Matthis Assistant Chief Photographer, News • Doug Stewart Producer, Digital News Content
7 Aisha Mbowe Anchor
Aisha Mbowe joined the FOX 61 news team in March of 2018 as a reporter, and now anchors the FOX61 Morning News on Saturday and Sundays.
Prior to Hartford, Aisha spent two years at WCTI 12 in eastern North Carolina. There she started as a Reporter/MMJ at the station’s Greenville bureau before moving to the morning show as a Breaking News Anchor and Reporter. While at WCTI 12 Aisha reported on the historic flooding after Hurricane Matthew and the case of a missing three year old girl that made national headlines.
Aisha started her career in Hasting, Nebraska as a video journalist. She is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland College Park where she studied Broadcast Journalism. While in school she completed multiple internships and was a part of the award winning program Capital News Service.
Aisha is a Maryland native. She grew up just minutes outside of our nation’s capital in Silver Spring. She is happy to continue living out her dreams and call Connecticut home.
When she is not reporting you can find her exploring different restaurants and catching up on her favorite TV shows.
8 Participating Schools
• A. I. Prince High School, Hartford • Ellington High School, Ellington • AITE High School, Stamford • Foran High School, Milford • Amer. School for the Deaf, W. Hartford • Global Communications Academy, Hartford • Ansonia High School, Ansonia • Greater Hartford Acad. of the Arts, Hartford • Ansonia Middle School, Ansonia • Guilford High School, Guilford • Baldwin Middle School, Canterbury • Hall High School, W. Hartford • Berlin High School, Berlin • Hammarskjold Middle School, Wallingford • Bethel Middle School, Bethel • Hartford High School, Hartford • Bristol Eastern High School, Bristol • Hartford Public Library, Hartford • Bristow Middle School, W. Hartford • Howell Cheney Tech, Manchester • Buckeley High School, Hartford • Illing Middle School, Manchester • Burns Latino Studies Academy, Hartford • Irving School, Derby • Canton High School, Canton • J.M. Wright Tech High School, Stamford • Capital Prep Magnet School, Hartford • Jackson Middle School, New London • Charter Oak Int Academy, W. Hartford • John F. Kennedy High School, Waterbury • Cheshire High School, Cheshire • John Wallace Middle School, Newington • Conard High School, W. Hartford • Johnston Middle School, Colchester • Cromwell High School, Cromwell • Jonathan Law High School, Milford • Cromwell Middle School, Cromwell • Joseph Melillo Middle School, E. Haven • Crosby High School, Waterbury • Kellogg Middle School, Newington • CT River Academy, E. Hartford • Killingly High School, Killingly • Danbury High School, Danbury • Killingworth High School, Higganum • Daniel Hand High School, Madison • King Philip Middle School, W. Hartford • DL&AM Middle School, Waterford • Lewis Mills High School, Burlington • E. Granby Middle School, E. Granby • Lincoln Middle School, Meriden • E. Hampton High School, E. Hampton • Madison Arts Barn, Madison • E. Hampton Middle School, E. Hampton • Manchester High School, Manchester • E. Haven Academy, E. Haven • Masuk High School, Monroe • E. Haven High School, E. Haven • Mercy High School, Middletown • E. Lyme High School, E. Lyme • Middlebrook Middle School, Wilton
9 Participating Schools
• Middletown High School, Middletown • Smalley Elementary School, New Britain • Mystic Middle School, Mystic • South Windsor High School, S. Windsor • Nathan Hale High School, Moodus • Southington High School, Southington • Nathan Hale Middle School, Coventry • St. Bernard School, Uncasville • Nathan Hale Ray High School, E. Haddam • St. Christopher School, E. Hartford • Nathan Hale Ray Mid School, E. Haddam • St. Rita’s’ School, Hamden • New Canaan High School, New Canaan • Stonington High School, Pawcatuck • Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury • Suffield High School, Suffield • North Branford High School, N. Branford • Suffield Middle School, Suffield • Norwich Free Academy, Norwich • Terryville High School, Terryville • Notre Dame High School, W. Haven • The Morgan School, Clinton • Old Saybrook Middle School, Old Saybrook • Thomaston Center School, Thomaston • Orville Platt High School, Meriden • Thomaston High School, Thomaston • ParaDYM Academy, New Britain • Torrington Middle School, Torrington • Parish Hill High School, Chaplin • Vernon Center Middle School, Vernon • Parish Middle School, Chaplin • Vernon High School, Vernon • Pathways Acad of Tech. & Design, E. Hartford • Visual & Performing Arts, New London • Plainville Middle School, Plainville • W.F. Kaynor Tech. High School, Waterbury • Pomperaug High School, Southbury • Waterford High School, Waterford • Pulaski Middle School, New Britain • West Haven High School, W. Haven • Kinsella School of Performing Arts, Hartford • West Shore Middle School, Milford • Reg. #1 School, Falls Village • Westbrook High School, Westbrook • Reg. District #4 High School, Deep River • Weston Public Schools, Weston • Reg. District #4 Middle School, Deep River • Wethersfield High School, Wethersfield • Reggio Magnet School of the Arts, Avon • Wilby High School, Waterbury • Rippowam Middle School, Stamford • Wilton High School, Wilton • Sedgwick Middle School, W. Hartford • Winthrop Middle School, Deep River • Shelton High School, Shelton • Wolcott High School, Wolcott • Shelton Intermediate School, Shelton • Woodbury Middle School, Woodbury • Shepaug High School, Washington Depot • Woodland Reg. High, Beacon Falls • Simsbury High School, Simsbury • Woodstock Academy, Woodstock • Slade Middle School, New Britain
10 Student News Nominations
Category: Feature News Award Presented by: Aisha Mbowe, Fox 61 Weekend Morning News Anchor
• Daniel Hand High School – Madison, CT Madison Arts Barn Joe Sandora, Sam Stein
• Norwich Free Academy - Norwich, CT Telegraph Vinyl Alyiah Collli, Louise Doiron
• Shelton Intermediate School – Shelton, CT Shelton Dog Park Padin Larkins, Marissa Manzo, Ethan Oko, Brynn Roscoe , Joe Vostinek
• Suffield Middle School – Suffield, CT Suffield Oscar Winner Claire Halasi-Kun, Lauren Knowles
• William J. Johnston Middle School – Colchester, CT Broadway Cafe Cart Sarah Gionfriddo, Julia Lombardo, Olivia Sobota
11 Student News Nominations
Category: Hard News Award Presented by: Aisha Mbowe, Fox 61 Weekend Morning News Anchor
• Bristol Eastern High School – Bristol, CT Save a Life Tour “STEERS” Jennifer Black, Hailey Madramootoo
• Cromwell High School - Cromwell, CT Backpack Burden Bailey Wilson
• Cromwell High School - Cromwell, CT Over Scheduling Olivia Polkowski
• Daniel Hand High School – Madison, CT Plastic Bag Law Brian Beirne, Nick Lynch
• Kennedy High School – Waterbury, CT An Historic Journey Chevelle Shepherd, Lydia Vegara, Janyla Weaver
12 Student News Nominations
Category: Community Events Award Presented by: Aisha Mbowe, Fox 61 Weekend Morning News Anchor
• Bristol Eastern High School – Bristol, CT Basketball Tournament Strives to “Make it Different” Kaylynne Yorkhill
• Cromwell Middle School – Cromwell, CT Zombie Run Emily Kowalski, Paolo Messina, Sabrina Pereira
• Daniel Hand High School – Madison, CT Madison Arts Barn Joe Sandora, Sam Stein
• Manchester High School - Manchester, CT Hartford Winterfest Meredith Keyt, Kely Maloney, Samuel Mushinski, Annabelle Watson
• Suffield Middle School - Suffield, CT Kent Memorial Library Claire Halasi-Kun, Lauren Knowles
13 Student News Nominations
Category: Governor’s Prevention Award Presented by: Roland Harmon, Co-President
• Bristol Eastern High School - Bristol, CT Save a Life Tour “STEERS” Jennifer Black, Hailey Madramootoo
• Cromwell High School – Cromwell, CT Backpack Burden Bailey Wilson
• Cromwell High School – Cromwell, CT Over Scheduling Olivia Polkowski
• Kennedy High School – Waterbury, CT An Historic Journey Chevelle Shepherd, Lydia Vegara, Janyla Weaver
• William J. Johnston Middle School – Colchester, CT Broadway Cafe Cart Sarah Gionfriddo, Julia Lombardo, Olivia Sobota
14 Student News Nominations
Category: Big Y’s Locally Grown Award Presented by: Morgan Spencer, Manager of Marketing Services, Big Y World Class Market
• Daniel Hand High School – Madison, CT Madison Arts Barn Joe Sandora, Sam Stein
• Daniel Hand High School – Madison, CT Plastic Bag Law Brian Beirne, Nick Lynch
• Jonathan Law High School – Milford, CT Educational Center for the Arts Marly Ackley, Meghan Gorman, Eden Van Waveren
• Norwich Free Academy - Norwich, CT Telegraph Vinyl Alyiah Collli, Louise Doiron
• Suffield Middle School – Suffield, CT Second Chance Ranch Claire Halasi-Kun
15 Student News Nominations
Category: CHESLA Education Award Presented by: Josh Hurlock, Assistant Director, CHESLA
• Cromwell High School - Cromwell, CT Backpack Burden Bailey Wilson
• Cromwell High School – Cromwell, CT Over Scheduling Olivia Polkowski
• Jonathan Law High School – Milford, CT Educational Center for the Arts Marly Ackley, Meghan Gorman, Eden Van Waveren
• Kennedy High School – Waterbury, CT An Historic Journey Chevelle Shepherd, Lydia Vegara, Janyla Weaver
• Suffield Middle School - Suffield, CT Kent Memorial Library Claire Halasi-Kun, Lauren Knowles
16 Student News Nominations
Category: CHET Financial Literacy Award Presented by: Shawn T. Wooden, CT State Treasurer
• Cromwell High School - Cromwell, CT Got College Making The Choice Rebecca Calafiore, Vanessa Stolstajner • Shelton Intermediate School – Shelton, CT SIS Business Class Daniela Berry, Padin Larkins, Marissa Manzo, Ethan Oko, Brynn Roscoe, Joe Vostinek
17 Fox 61 Student News Reminders
Remember you can always watch Fox 61 Student News stories live during our morning, evening, and nightly news every Friday, as well as our Saturday morning news. Fox 61 Student News can always be watched on our Fox 61 news app.
How can you and your school be a part of Fox 61 Student News? It’s as simple as emailing us at [email protected] and telling us your name, town, and school name. We can set up an account along with instructions to navigate your way to becoming a Fox 61 Student News member.
Teachers Resources FOX 61 will provide teachers with online tools and resources to learn industry standards such as planning your story, shooting, editing, writing, reporting, as well as how to send us your finished stories so they can air on our live broadcast. To request more infor- mation, please email us at [email protected].
A special Thank You to University of Hartford for supporting the FOX 61 Student News program.
18 Helping students & families plan, save and pay for college! CHESLA.ORG
19 Congratulations to all of this year’s FOX61 Student News Winners! A special thank you to all the students, teachers and schools for your hard work and participation!
For more information about CHET visit www.aboutchet.com.
CONNECTICUT STATE TREASURER ® SHAWN T. WOODEN
The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) is administered by the Office of Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI), CHET-direct Plan Manager.
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