The Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored two USC broadcast majors, Bridget Bruchalski and Grace Berkery, with Student Production Awards. Two other USC students, Chloe Castain and Courtney Hollmon, were finalists for the awards for which they were nominated.
The students, whose work was created in the broadcast major capstone course Carolina News, competed against entries from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina.
Bruchalski, who graduated in Dec. 2024, won Student Production Awards in both categories for which she was nominated — Serious News and Light News.
To win in both categories was a "wonderful surprise," Bruchalski said. "When it comes to storytelling, each story is unique and special in its own way." Her Columbia Community Continues Cleanup serious news report "captured the resilience of a family home that had endured so many tragedies," she said. "It was a true testament to strength and perseverance."
But being able to cover the behind-the-scenes prep for the light news story USC Students Prepare for a Fiery Tradition brought back the excitement of witnessing it her freshman year. "All of these students volunteer to help build the tiger and are so passionate about the project. It was inspiring to see as a proud Gamecock."
Bruchalski, who was unable to attend the awards ceremony, credits the newsroom experience for preparing her for her first job as a reporter at WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida. "Rick Peterson and Lena Sadiwskyj knew exactly how to guide and support me as a journalist, but also challenge me to do better with every story I turned."
Berkery, who graduates in May and is currently working part-time as a producer at WIS during the week, won the Student Production Award for Best Newscast, which she produced and which aired live on Dec. 3, 2024.
At the awards ceremony in Atlanta, Berkery gave shoutouts to her mom for turning on "The Today Show" at 7 every morning and allowing her to fall in love with this "crazy, crazy business," and to broadcast faculty Peterson and Sadiwskyj.
"Their guidance and belief in me made such a difference," she said. "They didn’t just teach us the skills — we learned how to think on our feet, handle pressure and trust our instincts. I know I’ll carry those lessons with me wherever I go."
Carolina News students work from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and during the semester rotate through all the newsroom roles while producing two live newscasts every weekday. Berkery described it as "fast-paced, unpredictable, and, at times, a little chaotic," but said that's part of what made the class so special.
"It gave me a real taste of what it’s like to work in a newsroom, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to go through it with. We pushed each other, learned from each other, and celebrated each other’s wins — this award is a reflection of all of that," she said.
Chloe Castain was a finalist in the Light News category for two different stories. SC State Fair Racing Pigs and Milo the Koala: On a Mission.
Courtney Hollmon was a finalist in the Talent: News or Sports category.
About the Awards
The NATAS Southeast Regional Student Production Awards, formerly known as Emmys, are an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence by those studying media and journalism and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news, and informational achievements by undergraduate college students.