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WKAR takes home national awards

(l-r) Robin Pizzo, WKAR director of education; Susi Elkins, WKAR director of broadcasting and general manager; and Julie Sochay, WKAR content and community engagement manager all honored to accept two awards at the 2017 NETA conference on January 23.
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(l-r) Robin Pizzo, WKAR director of education; Susi Elkins, WKAR director of broadcasting and general manager; and Julie Sochay, WKAR content and community engagement manager all honored to accept two awards at the 2017 NETA conference on January 23.

WKAR was honored to receive two awards at the 2018National Education Telecommunications Association (NETA) Conference on January 23 in Washington, DC.The two awards WKAR received included the promotion award for the special event WKAR Family Launch Open Houseand the production award for the performance of BackStage Pass: Toronzo Cannon.

The 2017 NETA awards were presented to 30 projects from 20 public television stations at the annual NETA Conference in Washington, DC. The competition honors member stations' finest work in community engagement, promotion, instructional media, and content production.  

"It was an honor representing our amazing WKAR team at the NETA awards ceremony,” said Julie Sochay, WKAR content and community engagement manager. “The opportunity for the station to be highlighted in this way, and in front of so many stations and organizations from around the country, is important as we continue to grow our reach”

The promotion award forWKAR Family Launch Open House is a testament to all the hard work and effort of WKAR Family. An initiative which brings together the resources of PBS KIDS and Michigan State University to provide free programming, technology and learning tools to kids, as well as  dedicate resources to researching early childhood development.

“Receiving an award for our PBS KIDS 24/7 Channel and WKAR Family launch event is especially important as it brings awareness to the growing educational needs within our local community and beyond,” said Sochay.

The production award won for BackStage Pass: Toronzo Cannon performance helps bridge WKAR’s own original showcase with bluesman Cannon to provide outstanding and award winning entertainment.

“We filmed it at Blues Fest in Old Town, Lansing,” said Nicole Zaremba, BackStage Pass producer. “Cannon was amazing, a Chicago staple as Blues goes. It was an honor to host him on the show and highlight his musicianship and learn about his inspiration towards and behind his music.”

In this award winning BackStage Pass video, contemporary bluesman Toronzo Cannon from Chicago performs the title track from his album, "John the Conquer Root," "Ti Ni Nee Ni Nu," and more.

You can watch Toronzo Cannon’s performance and other BackStage Pass episode atvideo.wkar.org. In addition, families and parents can enjoy more WKAR Family segments at video.wkar.org.

WKAR was very pleased to receive both awards at the 2017 NETA Conference and looks forward to continue providing award winning content.

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