“Kaleidoscope Factory,” “Photography Composite,” and “The Program,” were three projects submitted by South students that won Crystal Pillar awards, the highest award given, from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the organization that runs the Emmy Awards, Julie Benca, Broadcasting Teacher and Director of TV and Film said.

At Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville on May 1, the NATAS awards were given at the Midwest Media Educators Association (MMEA) Film Festival, where MMEA also gave its own awards for the top five projects in each category, Benca said. South entered a total of 10 projects for consideration and won three Crystal Pillars, Benca said. The winners were senior Nathan Martinez for “Kaleidoscope Factory,” sophomore Luca Mariani Advanced TV and Film (ATV) student, for “Photography Composite,” and seniors Kendrick Lee, ATV Co-Station Manager, Lexie Benedetti, ATV Public Relations Director, Ellory Moran, ATV Co-Station Manager, and junior Teddy Kullman, ATV Technical Director, for “The Program.”

The films competed against many others from across the Midwest after a long process of drafting, editing and reshooting, Benca said.

“It is a huge accomplishment, an honor, to win these awards,” Benca said. “I am very proud of my students. They really love working on these projects.”

ATV students submit a variety of films, including narratives, music videos, commercials, public service announcements, and live sports broadcasts, Moran said. After attending MMEA for three years, Moran won her first awards, receiving first in Comedic Narrative, Dramatic Narrative and Documentary, and fifth in Movie Trailer, she said.

“The MMEA festival has always been a very inspiring event to go to and push my craft further,” Moran said. “Winning all these awards my final year felt so special and reassuring, like all the hard work that I’ve been putting in the last three years was worth it.”