Dorothy Ferrigno Wins National Student Production Award For Best Director

Middleborough High School Class of 2023 graduate Dorothy Ferrigno won Best Student Director in the country by the National Television of Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Dorothy won for her direction of a short film 10:13, and music video Bad Things. Winners were announced during a live stream of the awards presentation on February 1, 2024. Experts and educators in the field from the National Television of Arts and Sciences (NATAS) judged over 2,000 video entries from 24 programming and craft categories in this year’s Student Production Awards.
The entry video can be found on MiddleboroughTV.com/nspa2023

In her prerecorded acceptance speech Dorothy said, “I accept this award with such gratitude and truly appreciate this incredible honor. Digital media is my passion and I am currently pursuing a career in filmmaking. One of my favorite parts of filmmaking is using my creativity to make ideas come to life. I’d like to thank the academy for giving me this recognition. It means so much to me. Most importantly I'd like to thank my high school teacher, Adam Pelletier, for his guidance and mentorship. His passion for tv production and teaching constantly inspired me and I wouldn’t be here today without his dedication and support.” 

Dorothy received two other National Student Production nominations for best editor, and photographer. Dorothy was a four-time 2023 New England Student Production Award winner for best Director, Editor, Music Video, and Photographer.

MHS had the 3rd most nominations in the country! With five total nominations that moved on from the New England Student Production Awards to the national award. 
MHS had others who were also nominated for national awards as well. Savannah Byrne, MHS Class of 2023, received a NSPA nomination in the Talent / Performer category for her performance in 10:30. Savannah is the 2023 New England SPA winner in this category.

Ryan Fahey, Kaylynn Provonche, and Sean Toomey also received NSPA nominations in the Long Form Fiction category for their film, Just Saying.

This is Middleborough High School’s second NSPA, MHS earning their first in 2017 with music video Another Day of Sun produced by Leanne Robinson.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational, and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Awards for News & Documentary, Sports, and Daytime television programming, as well as achievements in television Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of more than 18,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the United States Beyond awards, NATAS provides extensive educational programs through its Foundation, including regional and national scholarships and Student Production Awards.

The Middleborough Educational Television program has been around for over 25 years. What started as a small program created by John Hilsabeck has grown with the construction of the new high school. Dorothy is just one of the many students who found their love for video and film making while at MHS and have decided to continue with this art in college. 

The Middleborough Public School Department would like to thank Dorothy for her amazing work and all our nominees for the countless hours that were put into their videos. Our students amaze us every day and we are so happy to have the staff and support in the community for this program to continue to grow.