BRYANT, Ark. – Chelsea Jensen is a four-time Mid-America Student Emmy Award Winner and is now nominated for her first National Academy of Television Arts & Science award.
On Oct. 17, Jensen got the unexpected news that she had been nominated by the Foundation of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) for the 2024 national student production awards, in the category of on-air talent.
She shared that if you had asked her three years ago, she wouldn’t have believed it herself.
Jensen walked into her first journalism class as a sophomore in high school, not thinking much about it other than a check mark for another school credit down, however, a light switched, and it became her passion.
“When I joined the TV production class I had no interest at all and I just loved it I loved everything about it,” Jensen said.
Her teacher, Michael Westbrook, says it’s common for a student to sign up or be placed in his class without knowing much about it.
“What makes it fun for me is when you see that light bulb come on, and when the passion starts to kick in for what they are doing here,” Westbrook said.
Jensen took every opportunity she could to learn more, the dedication landing her a spot as on-air talent for Bryant High School’s Hornet Media.
Through the class, Jensen found not only her passion but also her favorite thing about being a journalist, storytelling.
“I think that’s the biggest part is just learning things about someone you wouldn’t expect to know and then getting to share that with even more people,” Jensen said.
Jensen has placed at the regional level four times, winning Emmy’s for the 2024 NATAS Mid-America Student Production Awards On-Air Talent, 2023 NATAS Mid-America Student Production Awards On-Air Talent, 2023 NATAS Mid-America Student Production Awards General Assignment Light News, and the 2023 NATAS Mid-America Student Production Awards General Assignment Serious News.
“I think it’s her ability that has pushed some others maybe to follow that path and make sure that we are working together as a team this year, that is what I’m most proud of,” Westbrook said.
The whole school is “Hornet Proud” regardless of the results, which will be announced on Nov. 21.