For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristin Tutino, (585) 258-0253

WXXI RECEIVES AWARDS FOR TV AND RADIO PRODUCTIONS

(Rochester, New York) June 24, 2004 – WXXI Public Broadcasting Council added another award to its record of achievements this month when Homework Hotline was presented with the Best Program or Series designed for Children award by the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) at their annual meeting. Homework Hotline is a half-hour, live call-in television program that helps students with homework questions. Earlier this month, the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association (NYSAPBA) presented AM1370’s Arts Reporter Brenda Tremblay with the Best Enterprise Reporting award for her “Holley Memorial” segment.

NYSBA’s 43rd Annual Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting Gala was held in Bolton Landing, New York. CBS News Anchor and the evening’s featured speaker, Dan Rather, presented the award to WXXI President Norm Silverstein.
“We’re honored that our colleagues have recognized Homework Hotline as a production that delivers a valuable educational resource to so many young people throughout the state,” said Silverstein. “This has been an incredible year for the program as it has expanded its reach to include school-aged children in the New York City area.”

Airing on WXXI-TV in Rochester, New York and on stations across the state, Homework Hotline supports New York State education’s curriculum by closely adhering to the New York State Learning Standards. Geared to children in grades five through 12, the program is hosted by Wilson Magnet High School science teacher and 2003 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee George Wolfe and Madison High School teacher Carol Smith. Rochester-based teachers Joe Zuniga and Armando Ramirez also act as guest hosts for the program. Students phone in their questions to both Rochester Dial Teacher, operated by the Rochester Teachers Association and New York City Dial-A-Teacher, operated by the United Federation of Teachers. Questions come from all over New York State and as far as Vermont and Canada.

The NYSAPBA Radio Competition was held in Lake Placid, New York on June 5, 2004. In Tremblay’s award winning piece, “Holley Memorial”, listeners heard from two families in a small town who lost loved ones in the same car accident. When one of the victim's parents proposed a public memorial for his teenaged son (who caused the accident through reckless driving), residents of Holley, New York were divided over whether such a memorial was appropriate. Radio listeners heard the story from the parents of the victims and the mayor, who reflected on the nature of small town life, the powerful symbolism of memorials, and the mayor’s hope for a future resolution for both families.

NYSAPBA also gave honorable mentions to 1370 Connection host Bob Smith in the Interview category for “Smith vs. Aldersly” and to former local host of All Things Considered Mark Giardina in the Sports category for “Preparing for the PGA.”

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WXXI is an essential, lifelong educational resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI provides programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of the issues of our diverse community, nation and world. Log on to www.wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.

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