Montgomery Community Media Recognizes Volunteers at the Annual Monty Awards (VIDEO)

It was a night to celebrate dozens of volunteers for their hard work in creating stories that matter to the community.

Since a great deal of the content on Montgomery Community Media’s website and television channels come from the volunteers who dedicate thousands of hours each year toward content creation, MCM staff honored their hard work and dedication during the 32^nd annual Monty Awards held at the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown. 

“About 90 percent of our content and the shows that you see on our television channels are produced by the community and that’s really all volunteer based whether a producer, or a technician or a blogger,” Merlyn Reineke, CEO of Montgomery Community Media, said. “They really do contribute their time and volunteer their efforts so that’s why tonight we’re honoring them here at MCM.” 

“For me, Montgomery Community Media provided us with a great opportunity to become a producer. In my case, [I created] a Spanish language program for Spanish people in Montgomery County,” said Edgar Maco.

 The host of this year’s event was award-winning journalist Anqoinette Crosby. 

“Montgomery County is a very diverse place and so it is important that our story tellers and our volunteers reflect that[…] and share their information because we are a better community for it.” she said. 

Organizers said having the the Monty Awards each year to recognize volunteers is important because they play a vital role in telling the stories of the county.

“These are the people that are letting us all know what’s happening and strengthening our democracy,” Jeffrey Slavin, Montgomery Community Media Board Chair, said. 

Here’s a list of this year’s winners:

Promos & PSAs

• 2017 Elder Abuse Project produced by Marian Merewitz

Sports

• DCHL Leagues Ball Hockey #78 produced by Suds Chand

Music Production

• Classical Open Stage #16 produced by Yen-Ju Chen

Backpack  Journalism

• Audition Preparation 101 by Sophia Anthony

Arts & Humanities

• Classical Open Stage produced by Yen-Ju Chen

Community

• Cheers of Joy produced by Nancy Frohman

Cultural

• African People produced by Nathalie Djonda

Educational

• From Single to Mingle in Just produced by Dan Amzallag

Public Affairs

• Ginny’s…Where East Meets West produced by Yen-Ju Chen

Class Project

• Amy Riolo: Early Influences of a Culinary Star produced by Sheila Crye

Host

• Ginny Gong host of Ginny’s…Where East Meets West produced by Yen-Ju Chen

Youth

• Sublime Slime produced by Jessica Theis

Youth Producer

• House With A Heart produced by Explorer Club 995: Bethany McSweeney, Habib Najjar, Conner Snyder

Blog Awards

The Blog with the Most “Hits”

• Tax Changes for 2017: A Checklist by Juanita Farmer

Viewer’s Choice

• The Info Zone produced by Yen-Ju Chen

Most Field Producer Hours

• Amavi Missihou

 Most Studio Producer Hours

• Marian Merewitz

Most Active Volunteers

• Henry Teague
•  Amavi Missihou
• Yen-Ming Chen
• Susan Stevenson
•  Donna Merrifield
• Robert Mattia

Bill Randolph Award (STILL)

•  Dick Terrill

Haig Ellian Volunteer Award

•  Jessica Theis

Bruce Adams Award

•  Amanda Dalton

Monty’s Choice Winner

• Steve Friedman

Tonight @mymcmedia is honoring our volunteers who contribute to our TV programming and website at the 32nd Annual Monty Awards. #2017montys pic.twitter.com/yE8pT4d2j0

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 19, 2017

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

View all posts by Mitti Hicks