Southeastern > News & Media > News Releases > 2018 News Releases > March 2018 News Releases > Southeastern Channel news reporter receives LAB Scholarship
Southeastern Channel news reporter receives LAB Scholarship
by: Tonya Lowentritt
BROADCASTING SCHOLARSHIP- Southeastern Louisiana University junior Amanda Kitch of Mandeville received the 2018 Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Student Scholarship recently at the LAB's Prestige Awards luncheon. Kitch was selected as the winner of the $4,000 scholarship from all college television and radio students in the state.
HAMMOND – A student news anchor-reporter at the Southeastern Channel has been named winner of the prestigious 2018 Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Student Scholarship.
Amanda Kitch, a Southeastern Louisiana University junior from Mandeville, was selected among all college television and radio students in Louisiana to receive the $4,000 scholarship at the LAB's annual Prestige Awards luncheon recently. It marks the fourth time in the past five years that a Southeastern student has won the LAB scholarship.
Kitch credits the Southeastern Channel for providing her with real-world experience and training.
"I think I was awarded the scholarship because of my opportunities at the Southeastern Channel," Kitch said. "It's my workshop and is similar to an artist's studio, a place to create. I use this workshop to push myself and strengthen my skills and talents, and I'm lucky to have the mentors, resources and equipment available."
As a news anchor, reporter and producer for the Southeastern Channel's student newscast, "Northshore News," Kitch has already won first place in the nation for Best News Reporting given last fall by College Broadcasters, Inc. at the National Student Production Awards. She's also won Associated Press College Broadcasters awards for "Best of Show in Television," "Best TV Reporting," and "Best TV News Story" in Louisiana and Mississippi.
In addition, Kitch won first-place "Mark of Excellence" honors from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and "Best of South" recognition from the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC), made up of all universities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.
A communication major with a focus in electronic media, Kitch has led "Northshore News" to SPJ, AP and SEJC honors for top student newscast. She's also been honored by the Suncoast Emmys for a public service announcement she produced.
The LAB, made up of all television and radio stations and professionals in Louisiana, established the scholarship program to support promising future broadcasters and aid them in seeking the best quality education in the field of broadcasting, said Southeastern Channel General Manager Rick Settoon. By sponsoring the award, the LAB hopes to encourage students of the highest caliber to enter broadcasting as a career and guarantee the future quality of broadcasting in Louisiana.
"We're very happy and appreciative that the LAB has chosen to make an investment in Amanda's future and career," said Settoon. "She's extremely talented in all aspects of news reporting, writing, anchoring and producing, as well as in the technical areas of shooting and editing. She's focused and very hard-working, and her potential as a broadcast journalist is limitless. A tremendous and impactful career lies ahead for her."
In her scholarship application, Kitch had to answer questions related to her choice of broadcasting as a career, along with questions on topics ranging from career goals and values to broadcast advertising and the role of the Federal Communications Commission.
"I believe in honesty, and I believe in being honest as a reporter, a writer, and a video creator, because I believe the community deserves the honesty," Kitch said. "They want the truth, and I work hard to deliver it."
In its 15 years of existence, the Southeastern Channel has won over 300 national, international and regional awards, including 15 awards from the Emmys. The channel can be seen on Charter Spectrum 199 in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, Livingston and St. Helena parishes along with its live 24/7 webcast and video on-demand at www.thesoutheasternchannel.com.
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