Judging by Eddy Awards, the Future Is in ‘Good Hands’

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Informative, entertaining and with many people, young and older, filled with gratitude. That was the scene May 18 during the 45th annual Eddy Awards at ITV Studios on the campus of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. The gathering, attended by more than 300 students and faculty members, honors student broadcasters for their work on the ITV “News and Views” series.

Maria Regina High School, Hartsdale, won four awards, including Best High School News Team. Maria Regina’s show, “A Selfie Society,” also won individual Eddy Awards for High School Features (Emily Slattery, Roxanne Samson and Kyle Feliciano) and Anchor (Margaret Chiara), as well as the team award for High School Research.

St. Patrick School, Staten Island, won three awards, including Best Elementary News Team, for their show, “Pesticides: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” St. Patrick also won the award for Elementary Debate (Mackenzie Iannici and Jessica Scala) as well as the team award for Elementary Research.

“The only way a TV show can achieve 45 years on the air is by being fresh and new every year,” Roland Chapdelaine, producer of “News and Views” and the Eddy Awards, told CNY.

“Our student broadcasters showcase the issues and challenges they see in the world around them, and present solutions to improve those issues.”

Chapdelaine, who was recognized for his 20 years as producer of the two shows, called the students “our hope for the future.”

“And based on the ‘News and Views’ shows our students present, I’d say the future is in good hands,” he said.

A total of 358 students participated this school year, with 99 nominated for awards and 25 winners, Chapdelaine said. Some of the individual winners received more than one award. The ITV Studios (Instructional Television) is housed at St. Joseph’s Seminary.

As in years past, New York TV news personalities presented the awards. Nick Gregory, meteorologist at WNYW-TV, served as master of ceremonies; he won the Eddy Award during his high school days at Iona Prep. Gregory also served as a presenter, and he was joined by Lonnie Quinn of WCBS-TV; Lisa LaRocca of News 12 Westchester; and Dick Brennan of WCBS-TV.

Father Gary M. Mead, administrative director at ITV, presented the Moderator’s Award to Anne Donnellan of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Elmsford. The event featured well-received acceptance remarks from students, and video clips of their works, which drew much delight and applause.

In interviews with CNY, students expressed their gratitude to the archdiocese and everyone involved with their media efforts, as each of the winners did during their acceptance remarks. Tristan Murray, 13, an eighth-grade student at St. Peter School, Poughkeepsie, won the elementary school Anchorperson Award, along with Brittany Reyes. In light of his impending graduation, Tristan said, “Honestly, this is all bittersweet.”

And the Winners Were…

Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale won four awards, including Best High School News Team, at the 2018 Eddy Awards. Maria Regina’s show, “A Selfie Society,” also won individual Eddy Awards for High School Feature (Emily Slattery, Roxanne Samson and Kylie Feliciano) and Anchor (Margaret Chiara), and the team award for High School Research.

St. Patrick School on Staten Island won three awards, including Best Elementary News Team, for its show, “Pesticides: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” St. Patrick also won the award for Elementary Debate (Mackenzie lannici and Jessica Scala), and the team award for Elementary Research.

St. Denis-St. Columba School in Hopewell Junction won Eddys for Elementary Photo Essay (Elva Jeong and Brooke Pirozek) and “Feel Good” Story (Rebecca O’Connor and Leanna Mastrorilli), and the team award for Elementary Graphics.

Most Precious Blood School in Walden won for Survey (Taylor Moreno and Clare Barry). St. Christopher School on Staten Island won for Feature (Jaida Sahin and Julianna Laguna). St. Joseph-St. Thomas School on Staten Island won for Editorial (Miriam Lupu). St. Paul School in East Harlem won for Interview (Gencvie Vera). St. Peter School in Poughkeepsie won for Anchor (Brittany Reyes and Tristan Murray).

On the High School level, Preston High School in the Bronx won the Eddy for Survey (Avaye Gilford) and Interview (Mylenia Lopez), and the team award for High School Graphics.

Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie won for high school Photo Essay (Maggie Roach and Morgan Hurst) and Editorial (Caroline D’Agostino).

St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School on Staten Island won the Eddy for High School Debate (John Altschuler and Vincent Browne).