NATAS-UMW-2012

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces 2012
Upper Midwest Chapter/Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Five students studying media or journalism to receive $12,500 scholarships
MINNEAPOLIS – April 17, 2012 – The Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts
& Sciences, Upper Midwest Chapter (NATAS-UMW) is proud to announce its 2012 Scholarship
recipients.
Each year, NATAS-UMW Chapter Foundation awards $2,500 scholarships to high school and
college/university students within our chapter region which includes Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Iowa and western Wisconsin.
This year, thanks to help from generous sponsorship contributions from Slumberland, Hubbard
Broadcasting, Mall of America and our chapter members and past Gold & Silver Circle
recipients, we were able to award $12,500 in scholarships to area students!
Our scholarship committee recommended five out of more than two dozen applications to the
NATAS-UMW Board of Governor's which voted and approved the scholarships at its monthly
meeting on April 5th, 2012.
Since 2002, the NATAS-UMW Chapter/Foundation has awarded 54 scholarships worth
$110,500 to regional students who want to study media or journalism in college.
College & University Recipients
Ed Piette Leadership Scholarship (Sponsored in part by Mall of America):
David Crowley - Minnesota School of Business, Richfield, MN
David Crowley is a student at the Minnesota School of Business,
pursuing an education in Digital Video and Media Production
after nearly 6 years serving in the military.
“Having a simultaneous interest in digital video and going to
school full-time has indeed proven exhausting, so it with utmost
gratitude that I accept the 2012 NATAS-Upper Midwest
Scholarship,” said Crowley. “It really is great to know that there
are organizations out there who are willing to assist students in
this way, so thank you for the opportunity to continue my education. Rest assured it will be put
to good use as I forge my new career in Digital Media!”
Don Shelby Journalism Scholarship
Ellen Reiss - Loras College, Dubuque, IA
Ellen Reiss is a junior at Loras College in Dubuque, double
majoring in Media Studies and Public Relations. Reiss has
worked extensively with Loras College Television since she set
foot on campus, and has been involved with the news show
since day one. Reiss has produced packages and vo/sots for
nearly every show.
“This year, as a junior, I was promoted to associate producer
and anchor of LCTV News. Besides the news, I also produced a
documentary with a partner about my hometown’s movie theater,” said Reiss. “Besides LCTV, I
am also involved in Habitat for Humanity, Eucharistic Minister and being a Discovery
Confirmation retreat leader. I am so incredibly grateful for this scholarship because not only will
I be representing an outstanding journalist such as Don Shelby, and this scholarship will help me
in my plans for my future.”
Hubbard Broadcasting Scholarship: (Sponsor: Hubbard Broadcasting)
Marney Gellner - North Dakota State University
There are no guarantees in the broadcasting business, and
Marney Gellner wanted to make sure she would be prepared for
whatever came her way in the future.
“After 12 years in the business, I decided it was finally time to
go back to school,” says Gellner. “I am now two semesters
away from earning my Master’s Degree in Communications
from North Dakota State University. During my studies, I have
continued to work as a host and reporter at FOX Sports North in
Minneapolis. I am also a very proud wife and mother of two
young children. I would like to sincerely thank the wonderful people at Hubbard Broadcasting
for this generous scholarship. It is incredibly appreciated, and a wonderful lift for our
family. And to the fine folks at NATAS – thank you so much for selecting me as a scholarship
recipient. I am truly honored and humbled.”
(more)
High School Recipients
Chapter/Foundation Scholarship: (Sponsor: Slumberland)
David Schommer - Woodbury High School, Woodbury, MN
David Schommer is a senior at Woodbury High School in
Woodbury, MN. He started his film career after receiving an
editing software program for his 10th birthday. Over the years,
he has written and produced television programs, public service
announcements, educational videos, documentary films, and
other video projects with the goal of inspiring others and
changing lives.
Schommer will be attending the Carlson School of Management
at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and plans to use this
scholarship to aid him in pursuing a major in entrepreneurship and marketing.
“I strive to inspire others by developing an understanding of our common humanity, creating
communication tools to improve humanity, and generating ideas into tangible offerings that can
be enjoyed by others,” said Schommer. “I am so thankful to Slumberland and the National
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for supporting me in my college career. I am very
honored to receive this award and I am excited to further my education to pursue my passion of
telling stories that impact others and improve lives.”
Chapter/Foundation Scholarship: (Sponsor: Slumberland)
Lissandra Villa Huerta - Webster City High School, Webster
City, IA.
“This scholarship will contribute to my education, which will
include a major in broadcasting at Iowa State University,” says
Villa Huerta. “I am very pleased and thankful for such an
honor. Throughout high school, I discovered I had a passion for
television while investing myself in WCTV, Webster City
High School’s weekly broadcast program. I am grateful to
WCTV for giving me a head start and to NATAS-Upper
Midwest Emmys and Slumberland for making it possible for
me to follow my dream.”
For more information on NATAS-UMW, scholarship recipients or the Midwest Emmys, please
contact JJ Murray at jj@midwestemmys.org.
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