Rio Scarcelli, Editor in Chief

     Penn-Trafford’s video and journalism programs annually attend award ceremonies in which they submit their best content for consideration. These include the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and Digital Media and Communications (DMACs).

     However, with the closure of schools due to COVID-19, these events have chosen an alternative to still be able to award the students’ hard work:  the worldwide web.

     The need for social distancing has shut down many school-oriented activities, discouraging students’ morale for all of the hard work they have put in.

     The head judging panels of DMACs and NATAS decided that, even if they cannot hold a physical gathering to present awards, they can take a digital alternative to still honor the students’ time they spent producing content for the competitions.

     Instead of physically presenting the plaques, teachers and students had the ability to order any trophies online to their school or home address.

     Because of the suddenness of this decision, students and staff had varying reactions to the cancellation of both events.

     Senior Madison Pleins, a member of the video department, stated that she was initially disappointed at the news.

     “Going to DMAC was a highlight of my past three years in high school and I was looking forward to attending a final time for my senior year,” she said.  “However, I understood why it was cancelled and I believe it was for the best to keep as many people safe and healthy as possible.”

         While DMAC chose to announce their results on a PowerPoint presentation, the NATAS committee plans to host a livestream ceremony to announce the nominees on May 14.

     Nonetheless, both events shared the common goal of rewarding the students’ efforts, even if it could not have been the way they anticipated.

     Keeping the thoughts of the participants in mind seemed to be the No. 1 goal as many large-group gatherings have been put to rest to keep people out of harm’s way.   Still presenting the awards provided a unique alternative that many sports, theatres and other groups do not have the advantage of.

     Pleins remarked, “I feel as though there is no specific right or wrong way to handle what is going on.  Many events and activities are being cancelled to protect people and each organization is doing what they feel is the best to handle the cancellations for them.”

     The digital version of the ceremony yielded different reactions for individuals who received nominees.

     Senior Ryan Mickey said, “I feel equal satisfaction receiving the winners and nominees online versus in person.”

     By contrast, Pleins suggested that the environment and the people surrounding it form the experience altogether.

     “Nothing will beat the feeling of walking on stage to receive an award for something that was worked so hard on, so I do think that it is more rewarding to receive recognition like this in person,” she voiced.  “However, I am glad that DMAC was still able to communicate the news.”

     Both Pleins and Mickey, regardless of the new situation, stated they were proud of the work they and their classmates did to earn awards that would gratify their work.