Broadcast Student Wins Industry Award

“I was super excited to receive this award. I love my music video and am proud of it, and I was ecstatic to even receive the nomination.”

Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Emma Sengvilay has earned a student production award from the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Sengvilay, a Deer Creek High School senior in the Broadcast and Video Production program, earned first place in the High School Music Video category for her entry, “Til Death Do Us Part.” The Heartland Region includes Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming.

The video, set to “As the World Caves In” by Matt Maltese, tells the story of a couple going through the end of the world together. It shows moments from both their present and past and explores how they are struggling to cope with what is happening. 

“Emma had a great storyline within her video, and that’s really what we try to teach in our program,” said Waleed Salim, Broadcast and Video Production instructor. “I always say the program should be called storytelling because that’s really what it is. I tell students to turn down the sound and watch the action. Is there a story there? There is in Emma’s video, and you feel like you are part of that story and are invested in it.”

Next year, Sengvilay is attending Oklahoma State University to study broadcast journalism. Right now, her career goal is to become a news anchor. Wherever her path takes her, Sengvilay knows her time at Francis Tuttle has set her up for success. Sengvilay has not only earned various certifications, such as for Photoshop, but has also gained vital skills through hands-on learning opportunities. 

“Mr. Salim pushes us to fill every role,” Sengvilay said. “We do audio, editing, filming and photography. We’ve even done acting because he assigns us to be in people’s videos. I’ve been able to fill every role and have also experienced a lot of growth in teamwork. I feel prepared for college because I’m not going in with this major not knowing if I really want to do it. I’ve been able to do this for the past two years and know it’s what I want to do, and I’m excited to go to college so I can learn even more.”