Athletes win awards for their physical abilities, young scholars win awards for their academic achievements, and the TV students of Grosse Pointe South win for their creativity. Throughout the school year, South students have acquired over 35 individual video awards. Students entered video competitions locally, statewide, and nationally. “It has been an eventful year for the students of Television Production,” said Stephen Geresy, TV Instructor for South. “The students have been competing against their peers from other very impressive high school TV production program from all over the state,” said Geresy.

            Over 30 students received awards from the Detroit Area Film and Television’s (DAFT) Student competition held at the Detroit Institute of Arts on May 1, 1999. The wide variety of categories allowed a range of student entries into this competition. Michael C. and Chris F., juniors at South, received a Best of Show Nomination for our official 1999 Telethon open. Frendo, Charles S. and Chris V. received a Best of Show Nomination for their PSA on Drinking and Driving. Nate D. also received the Best of Show Nomination for his screenplay and featured spoof of James Bond called “Don’t Drink the Water.” 

            Kaitlin D., a sophomore at South, received Honorable Mention/Finalist award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Student Public Service Announcement (PSA) competition. The theme of the contest was to create a 30-second commercial based around Health and Fitness. Her winning commercial was called “Couch Potato.” She created a humorous look at the search of the television remote control as a substitute for exercise. As her prize, she will be attending the local Emmy Ceremony held in May, have her PSA shown to the audience of locally nominated on-air talent and production experts, receive a plague from the academy, and be allowed to job shadow a person in the television industry. She is the first student in GPS history to win this prestigious honor.   

            Students have also received several awards from the monthly broadcast contest sponsored by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Junior, Michael C. and David M., and senior Greg D. received first place honors in October for their PSA called “The Right Decision.” Adam L. and GPS Sports both received second place honors for Men’s Basketball coverage of the North vs. South game. He and Emily M. took a third place honor for a taped demonstration on the care of Ivy Topiaries called “Botantica.” Each student received a certificate of achievement and will have his or her winning pieces of work displayed during the MIPA’s spring conference.

            “We are very proud of the accomplishments of our students. Competitions like these allow our students to be recognized for their talents and creativity,” said Geresy. The student’s award winning productions will be airing throughout the months of May and June on Channel 20 at 6 PM.     

For more information, contact  Stephen Geresy at (313) 432-3553.