Students from Dos Pueblos High School’s award-winning DPNews program earned top recognition at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter Student Production Awards.
The students’ accomplishment marks a milestone as the first year high school students were included in the regional Emmy competition.
The Pacific Southwest Region, which represents Southern California and Nevada, expanded its Student Production Awards this year to include high school entries.
DPNews students were recognized across multiple categories, showcasing excellence in storytelling, production, and technical craft:
• Non-Fiction – “Breaking the Oil Chain”
— Ari Ludkovski, Casey Engel, Michael Shinn, Kieran Learmonth
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) — “A Breakup with Lawns” —
Rocky Thoman, Sam Mitchell, Jonathan Harling
• Commercial — “NFHS Covering it ALL!
” — Townes Widger, Stephen McElroy
• Newscast — “DPNews Live from Tampa Bay” —
Natalee Zbinden, Alex Gardiner, Nathan Vincent, Sophia Pixley, Micah Barnhart, DPNews Staff
• Editor — “Purpose in Every Frame
” — Sophia Pixley
• Talent — “Purpose in Every Frame” —
Sophia Pixley
• Photographer — “The Dark Watchers
” — Evan Pinsker, Tyler McCutchen
• Photographer — “Your Story Starts Here” —
Alex Gardiner, Everett Womack, Sam Blakely, Abby Selzler, Selah Blackwell
• Director — STN Promo – “So Much Drama
Alex Gardiner” — Everett Womack, Sam Blakely, Abby Selzler, Selah Blackwell
• Director — “Your Story Starts Here
” — Alex Gardiner, Everett Womack, Sam Blakely, Abby Selzler, Selah Blackwell
“This recognition at the regional Emmy level validates the real-world, industry-standard work our students are producing every day,” said DPNews adviser John Dent. “To see their storytelling compete, and win, at this level in the very first year high schools were eligible is incredibly meaningful.”
Doug Caines, DPNews co-adviser, emphasized that the recognition is rooted in the program’s daily commitment to process and growth.
“The recognition is great, but it’s never been the goal. Our focus is always on the process. What matters most is how our students show up every day to collaborate, solve problems, and elevate their work,” said Caines.
“The fact that they were included in this competition for the first time and immediately performed at this level speaks volumes about their commitment,” he said. “Being in Las Vegas and going up on stage 10 times on their behalf was a powerful reminder that their work stands with the very best.”
With these wins, DPNews students now move on to the national Student Emmy competition, where they will represent both their school and the Pacific Southwest region.
“The success of our DPNews students at the student Emmys is a proud moment for Santa Barbara Unified,” said Hilda Maldonado, Santa Barbara Unified School District superintendent. “Earning these honors in their first year of eligibility proves that our students are not just meeting industry standards, they are setting them.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to providing students with the technical skills and creative confidence they need to succeed in the real world. I want to congratulate our talented students and their advisers.”
For more about the awards, visit the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Awards program here.