Two Penn State students and two television programs produced by students in the College of Communications were recognized for outstanding individual and collective work as part of a national awards competition.

Their accomplishments were part of Penn State’s most successful performance ever in the Broadcast Education Association’s (BEA) Festival of Media Awards. The competition recognizes the best student broadcast work in the nation.

Penn State honorees were:
-- Ashley Hinson, who won first place in TV Sports Talent (Anchor/Host);
-- “In The Game,” Penn State’s sports magazine television show, which placed second in TV Sports Story/Feature/Show Element/Segment or News Program;
-- “Centre County Report,” a weekly live newscast produced by students that placed second in Television Newscast; and
-- Dan Yesenosky, who received an Honorable Mention in Television Hard News Reporting for his investigative reporting surrounding Penn State Dance Marathon fundraising.

Hinson, a senior broadcast journalism student from Wexford, Pa., showcased her skills as a sports anchor for both the “Centre County Report” and “In The Game” during the fall semester.  She was surprised about her finish in the competition.

“It’s such an amazing feeling to be recognized for all of the long hours put in over the course of the semester,” Hinson said. “It has reassured me that doing what I love is paying off and makes me want to work even harder to accomplish my dream and become a respected reporter for a network television station.”

Hinson said her work with “Centre County Report” was particularly helpful in her growth as a broadcast journalist. She said the professional studio and real-world experience of working on a tight deadline provided her with the practical knowledge she’ll need after graduation.

The BEA is a professional association for professors, industry professionals and graduate students who are interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises.