The bright lights of Tampa, Florida, shone a little brighter for Coppell High School’s KCBY-TV on March 2 as they took home the coveted Broadcast Excellence Award for Weekly Taped News Show at the Student Television Network Convention.
STN held its national convention at Tampa, FLA for high school broadcast programs from across the country participating in competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Students attended the convention from CHS, and more than 3500 students from schools across the country. Schools submitted their best weekly news show episodes by the Jan. 31 deadline, with only a select few earning the prestigious Broadcast Excellence title.
For KCBY-TV program director and senior Jack Mancuso, the award is a testament to the team’s dedication and passion.
“It feels amazing to be recognized on a national level for all the hard work we put in every week,” Mancuso said. “Winning this award proves that our show competes with the best high school programs in the country.”
But the victory was only part of the action. Throughout the weekend, KCBY-TV students participated in various competitions that challenged their creativity and technical skills. On Saturday, they took on an intense eight-hour contest, testing their ability to produce high-quality content under tight deadlines. Sunday featured additional short-form competitions further showcasing their talent.
KCBY-TV adviser Irma Lazos-Kennedy highlighted the importance of working under pressure.
“One thing I love about STN is that students are running around the convention center, they’re all on deadlines, and they’re all hustling with cameras to get the job done,” Lazos-Kennedy said. “I am incredibly proud of our team, how we pulled through and the immense amount of growth I have seen in these students”.
With this recognition, KCBY-TV continues to solidify its reputation as one of the top high school broadcast programs in the country. The team’s success at STN highlights the hard work, collaboration and storytelling skills that have made Coppell’s student journalists stand out on a national stage.
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