San Diego City College’s Newscene and multimedia journalist Noelle Mortensen were nominated for regional student Emmy, the Pacific Southwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Services announced Sunday. 

The 47th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards honors outstanding achievement in regional television in the Pacific Southwest markets including San Diego, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Bakersfield and Palm Springs.

The Nov. 13 show, produced by Susana Serrano, was nominated in the student programming-newscast category along with Palomar College.

Mortensen, who recently graduated from SDSU with a Theater degree, was the lone nominee in the student craft-talent category.

“I was very excited and at the same time very emotional,” said Serrano, who is Newscene’s executive director this spring. “It felt like I’m where I’m meant to be, it reinforced that feeling that this is the career I’m supposed to be pursuing.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Susana Serrano (@imsusanaserrano)

 With City College closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Newscene had to find creative ways to continue to produce a weekly show. New students had to be taught to record, produce and edit from home.   

Despite the obstacles, the team put out 13 shows in 12 weeks, including a special election edition.

Devon Doane solo-anchored the show that was nominated in his first semester in Newscene.

“Huge shout out to the talent, crew and teachers for this!,” he wrote on Instagram. “We earned it!”

For Mortensen, the news that her reel, a collection of short clips into a personal portfolio, had been honored was a surprise.

“I had no clue my professor submitted me for this,” wrote Mortensen in an Instagram post.

The awards ceremony will be held on June 4 and streamed live.