Communications graduates win BEA awards

by Ken Colby
Staff Writer

University of La Verne communications department graduates shined brightly recently, in the Broadcast Education Association competition.

Matt Perez, Elaine Fregoso, Vania Joseph and Joseph Garcia III were recognized for their projects in this prestigious international media arts exhibition and competition. Perez won first prize in the Best Specialty Program-Audio division with his submission, “Working Independently in the Music Industry,” which was part of an assignment in his radio broadcast course last year. His project was a three-part documentary about independent music producers/artists.

In the same division, Fregoso took the second place prize, with her submission, “Music News Breakdown.” Her project was a bi-weekly information segment about music news and upcoming concerts.

“It feels so good that someone besides myself was interested in my show. Winning this award is ridiculously awesome, I would have never imagined,” Fregoso said.

Joseph won two audio awards taking second place in the Best DJ division, with her submission of “The Vania Joseph Show.” The show was an audition/demo that Joseph recorded, highlighting her on-air skills.

She also took a third place prize in the division of Best PSA/Promotion/Commercial with her submission of “2 Girls Doin’ Their Thing” promoting the KULV show with the same name.

In the small two-year college category, Garcia took third place for his video submission, “Latino USA.”

“Latino USA” is a magazine show that highlights the success and struggles of Latin Americans, in entertainment, business, politics and community service.

“The award gives creditability to a project that I worked so hard to complete and now a finished show that I can truly be proud of. I am looking forward to receiving the award in Las Vegas,” Garcia said.

“ 'Latino USA,' is a great show, I am proud of Joe’s accomplishments; he took his idea and made it reality, he will make a great producer,” said Don Pollock, professor of communications, and a past BEA award recipient.

The annual competition, sponsored by the BEA, is open to students and faculty in an accredited college or university communications program.

Entries in this year’s competition totaled 3,000 for both radio and television broadcast.

Awards for the winners will be presented April 17 in Las Vegas at the annual BEA Festival Awards Ceremony and Screening.

All of the students’ submissions were part of their senior seminar classes or their senior project.

“It shows how qualified we are, that when we leave ULV we will be well prepared for our career choices,” Garcia said.