Two MIHS Students Receive Telly Awards Which Honor Broadcast Excellence

Mercer Island, WA, May 25, 2023 – Mercer Island High School’s Media Technology, Filmmaking, and Storytelling Class announced today that two student works have been named Best Student Works in the record breaking 44th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies and including Adobe, BBC World Service, Netflix, Dow Jones, Complex Networks, Jennifer Garner, A&E Networks, Hearst Media, Nickelodeon, National Geographic Society, ESPN Films, RYOT, Partizan and Vimeo. 

Jonathan Aggar received a Silver Award for his work titled, “Climate Changed” which captures a bleak but not impossible future impacted by the effects of climate change. Watch “Climate Changed” now.

Sophia Chew received a Bronze Award for her work titled, “Literally Opposites” capturing a unique perspective of two students, so similar yet…opposite. Watch “Literally Opposites” now.

“The caliber of the work this season coming from creators such as Jonathan and Sophia truly has reflected the theme of breaking out and standing out,” said Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “Our industry is experimenting with new technologies like never before, crafting truly compelling stories to draw attention to some of the world’s most pressing issues, and companies big and small are turning to more sustainable practices to break the cycle of past production processes.” 

“Today’s winners’ announcement caps a re-introduction of media technology and filmmaking at Mercer Island High School and celebrates creators and talent who truly stand out during a time when the ubiquity of screens brings more clutter than quality into our lives,” said their teacher, Michael Ketchum.

“Jonathan and Sophia, as well as the rest of the class, are the creators and innovators who spotlight diverse voices, who are building a more sustainable industry, and who break through the static with their creativity.  I couldn’t be prouder of these two, and the future is bright for these two and filmmaking at MIHS!”   

This was a record-breaking year with nearly 13,000 entries from across the globe and top video and television content producers such as Airbnb, Audible, BET Networks/BET Digital, BritBox, Disney, FEMA, Gaumont, Golden State Warriors, MediaMonks, NASA, National Geographic Society, Netflix, Paramount, PBS Digital Studios and more. 

Both students submitted their work in the Non-Broadcast General Student category, which is a category limited to the work of people currently enrolled in academic programs. Aggar and Chew were one of two high school winners in each of the Silver and Bronze categories.