Hawaii public schools score big in national TV competition

29-Mar-2016

Hawaii public schools took home 34 awards from the annual Student Television Network competition in Atlanta. Close to 3,000 middle and high school students from across the U.S. gathered to compete in on-site, time-restricted contests in video journalism, television production, filmmaking, music videos, commercials, and public service announcements.

Ewa Makai Middle School students celebrate at STN in Atlanta.

Photo Credit: Department of Education

​Hawaii schools walked away with 34 awards at the 13th annual Student Television Network (STN) competition in Atlanta, held March 10-13. 

Close to 3,000 middle and high school students from across the U.S. gathered to compete in on- site, time-restricted contests in video journalism, television production, filmmaking, music videos, commercials, and public service announcements. All of the Hawaii schools that attended the competition are public schools and participants in PBS Hawaii’s HIKI NŌ student news network.

Last year, Hawaii schools brought home 28 awards from the STN Convention. As in the last few STN competitions, the number of awards won by Hawaii schools was notably high in comparison to states with larger populations, such as California, Florida, and Texas.

“Without a doubt, the stellar performance by Hawaii schools at STN is due to the work our schools have done with HIKI NŌ and PBS Hawaii,” said Kevin Matsunaga, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School media teacher and STN regional board member. “Our students have developed solid technical and storytelling skills through our workshops throughout the year. Our Hawaii media teachers have worked tirelessly, as well, and the outstanding work their students have done at these competitions is proof that HIKI NŌ is making a huge difference in the lives of our students.”

The Hawaii school awards count was led by Maui Waena Intermediate’s nine, followed by Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School with eight, and Waianae High School with six. There were a number of first-time awardees among the Hawaii schools, including Kapolei High School, Waipahu Intermediate School, and Ewa Makai Middle School.​

Ewa Makai media teacher Ethan Toyota said his students were “in shock” when they won two honorable mention awards in the commercial and public service announcement categories. “We wouldn’t be here without all the training and help HIKI NŌ has contributed in getting us off the ground,” he said.

“HIKI NŌ offers students the ideal preparation for this national competition and it also readies them for different professional paths — by teaching them to work their way through challenges and deliver quality work on tight deadlines,” said Leslie Wilcox, PBS Hawaii President and CEO.

“Congratulations to all of the students that participated in this rigorous competition in which they represented their schools and our state well,” said Kathryn Matayoshi, Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent. “PBS Hawaii is a valued partner for providing opportunities like HIKI NŌ. The teamwork and use of technology needed to create these quality productions align with the Department’s mission to help our students connect with their communities and be lifelong learners.”

2016 Student Television Network – Hawaii Winners:

Middle School Convention Recap

  • 2nd Place  Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 
  • 3rd Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School

High School Convention Recap

  • ​Honorable Mention — Waianae High School  

Middle School Spot Feature

  • ​​2nd Place — Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 
  • ​3rd Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School

Lead Story 

  • ​3rd Place — Moanalua High School 

Man on the Street 

  • 3rd Place — Moanalua High School

Middle School Movie Trailer 

  • Honorable MentionChiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 

Middle School Nat. Package (No announcer, only interview soundbites and natural sound)

  • 1st Place — Waianae Intermediate School 
  • 2nd Place — Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 
  • Honorable Mention — Maui Waena Intermediate School

Middle School Commercial 

  • 1st Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School
  • Honorable Mention —​​ Ewa Makai Middle School 

Middle School PSA (Public Service Announcement)

  • 1st Place — Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 
  • 3rd Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School
  • ​Honorable Mention — Ewa Makai Middle School

Middle School Breaking News

  • 1st Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School

Middle School Anchor Team 

  • 1st Place — Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 

Middle School Music Video 

  • 1st Place — Waipahu Intermediate School 
  • 2nd Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School
  • Honorable Mention — Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 

High School Music Video 

  • Honorable Mention — Kapolei High School 

CRAZY 8’s (In these categories, schools had eight hours to complete an eight-minute show)

Middle School Broadcast News Magazine 

  • Honorable Mention — Maui Waena Intermediate School

TV Scripted Sitcom Pilot 

  • Honorable Mention — Waiakea High School 

Middle School Short Film - Fiction 

  • 1st Place — Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School 
  • 2nd Place — Maui Waena Intermediate School
  • 3rd Place — Waipahu Intermediate School 

STN Film Excellence Awards (entries submitted prior to the competition)

Best Film - Live Action 

  • Waianae High School 

Best Film - Animated 

  • Waianae High School 

Best Monthly News Broadcast - South Pacific Region 

  • Waianae High ​School 

Best Cinematography 

  • Waianae High​ School 

Best Sound Design - Original Score & Music 

  • Moanalua High School 

Best Writing 

  • Waianae High School 

Best Directing ​

  • Moanalua High School ​

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