Westfield State, WGBY educational program nominated for Emmy Award

Date: 5/18/2010

WESTFIELD Westfield State College (WSC) and WGBY's high school quiz show, "As Schools Match Wits" (ASMW), have been nominated for an Emmy Award in the Education/Schools category.

This particular award is given to a program that demonstrates excellence in a regularly scheduled program, series or special that focuses on schools, teaching or education.

"What sets 'As School Match Wits' apart from the other programs receiving Emmy nominations is the fact that it's produced on the Westfield campus by a crew comprised of students at the college, in a unique and creative partnership with WGBY TV57," Elizabeth Preston, dean of faculty and professor of communication at WSC, said. She also serves as executive producer of "As Schools Match Wits."

"We're very proud of what we have accomplished this year, and happy that the quality of work our students do has been recognized by the industry," she said.

"ASMW" has been nominated within the Boston/New England chapter, which covers Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and much of Connecticut. The award is sponsored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

"ASMW" has been recognized multiple times by the industry with the Platinum Aurora Award for Best in Show: Children/Youth Programming in 2008, the 2009 Communicator Award for Distinction in Educational Programming and the Bronze Telly Award for Entertainment Programming in 2009.

The show was discontinued by WWLP in October 2006 after being on air for 45 years, but was revived with a partnership between WWLP, WGBY and WSC. The show was aired again in January 2007 and has been filming at WSC since then.

The 33rd Boston/New England Emmy Awards Ceremony will be at 6 p.m. on May 22 at Gillette Stadium.