Local News Team Triumphs at Carolina Awards with 18 First-Place Wins

WMBF News Shines at Annual Carolina Awards Ceremony in Myrtle Beach!

Myrtle Beach, S.C. – The coastal city danced with celebration on Saturday afternoon as local media stars shone like never before at the prestigious Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas awards ceremony. Bringing home an eye-popping 18 first-place awards and five second-place awards, the team certainly made a statement this year. Talk about a stellar performance!

A Proud Heritage of Achievement

For those not in the know, it’s been quite an exciting journey for the local news station. Their phenomenal achievements in journalism this past year were celebrated with a whopping 20-plus nominations that they received back in September. It’s all about recognizing excellence, and boy, did they deliver!

Highlighting Outstanding Contributions

One of the standout stars of the evening was none other than Matt Stanley, honored as the News Director of the Year. Talk about a spotlight moment! His leadership and vision have truly shaped the way news is delivered in the area.

Getting into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a closer look at some of the phenomenal award-winning segments that took home the gold:

• Breaking News: In a gripping display of journalism, the team’s coverage titled Emergency Eviction by Ale Espinosa and George Hansen grabbed the first-place win.
• Consumer/Economic: The second-place award went to the eye-opening story, No Pool Pool Company, crafted by the dynamic duo of Ale Espinosa and George Hansen.
• Investigative: The team’s compelling piece, The Billionaire Broke Girls, awarded first place, showed off the incredible reporting from Derrion Henderson and his talented team.
• Education: In a heartfelt story delving into vital concerns, HCS Emails Reveal School Security Concerns by Ashley Boles and George Hansen also won first place.

Incredible Multimedia Productions

Other categories saw breathtaking entries worthy of applause. For instance, Makayla Evans snagged first in the General News by a Multimedia Journalist category for Recipe for Disaster: Alarming Rise in Glock Switches. This kind of storytelling is what keeps the community informed and engaged.

And it didn’t stop there! The News Special category saw breathtaking winning entries such as The Revolving Door of Addiction, masterfully highlighting the seriousness of addiction from a compassionate viewpoint. This topic, covered by Ashley Boles and colleagues, was not just an award winner but a conversation starter!

Shout Outs to the Best of the Best

It’s worth mentioning the outstanding recognition awarded to the members of the team. George Hansen brought home the title of TV News Photographer of the Year, while Makayla Evans won the coveted TV News Reporter of the Year. If that isn’t a team that supports one another, we don’t know what is!

Another exciting highlight was the win for Andrew Dockery as TV Weathercaster of the Year. Keeping us safe and informed with the weather is no easy feat, but it seems like he’s got it all under control!

Student Achievements Shine Bright

In addition to the professional accolades, the ceremony also celebrated future talents. A certain Steven Schlink received not one, not two, but three first-place awards for his impressive student reporting. His topics ranged from views on the Gaza War to the exciting homesteading trends sweeping North Carolina.

A Community Proud

The applause and excitement in Myrtle Beach resonated with all who attended. The celebration of local journalism was not only about the awards but also about the significant stories being told that deeply impact the community. With dedicated teams and talented individuals, the future of news in Myrtle Beach is bright, and the community can’t wait to see what next year will bring!