![](\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2017\/02\/suncoast-emmys.png\")
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Story by UCF Nicholson School of Communication News<\/em><\/p>\n Nicholson School of Communication alumni, students and adjuncts were in the spotlight quite a bit at the 2016 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards on Dec. 3. Five alumni won regional Emmy awards of excellence for their work in television this past year, with one of them bringing home two awards. In addition, two members of WUCF-TV contributed to nominated entries. And several NSC students were on hand to work at the Emmys, serving as trophy bearers as well as \u201ctraffic cops.\u201d<\/p>\n Four of the award winners were recognized for their work in news, with much of the recognition for excellence in news coverage of the tragic shooting at the Pulse Nightclub. Ashley Krohne, a 2009 alumna, was a producer on the award-winning team from WFTV Orlando for its daytime newscast, the first full newscast after the shooting.<\/p>\n \u201cMy job was to get viewers the facts and pull at their heartstrings while also highlighting how people came together in the wake of these tragedies,\u201d said Krohne. \u201cI think most news producers just take things one day at a time. You just try to put together the best newscast possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Krohne (left) and Comings (right) smiling during the ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n Alix Comings, UCF class of 2014,\u00a0served as a producer for WESH Orlando\u2019s team\u00a0that was recognized for its \u201cSpot News\u201d coverage of the shooting. NSC Alumni Hall of Fame member Marla Weech, UCF class of 1979,\u00a0was part of the team at Central Florida News 13 that was honored for its \u201cSpecial Event Coverage\u201d titled \u201cOrlando United.\u201d Ryan Ernde, who also graduated from UCF in 2009,\u00a0was part of a team at WFTS in Tampa \u2013 St. Petersburg that put together the award-winning program \u201cThe Yellow Dress-2015,\u201d a \u201cCommunity Service\u201d honoree.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is an instant reward to see my product on TV and know that I am giving the community the information they want,\u201d Comings said.<\/p>\n The Emmys ceremony was the first for Krohne, Comings and Ernde. The big winner of the night may have been Suzanne Clavette, who won her first two Emmy awards. Another 2009 UCF graduate, she was part of the award-winning campaign for the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team and then followed that up with an individual award for directing a promotional spot for the Orlando Magic.<\/p>\n Clavette said her favorite thing about working in the field is \u201cwitnessing a final product on television that I had the opportunity to conceptualize, write, direct on a shoot and then finally edit before going on-air. It\u2019s a rewarding feeling to come up with an idea and work diligently toward making it come to life to share with viewers. I like to have my hand in every part of the production process. Working with professional athletes isn\u2019t so bad either.\u201dThe Emmys ceremony was the first for Krohne, Comings and Ernde. The big winner of the night may have been Suzanne Clavette, who won her first two Emmy awards. Another 2009 UCF graduate, she was part of the award-winning campaign for the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team and then followed that up with an individual award for directing a promotional spot for the Orlando Magic.<\/p>\n The Nicholson School connections don\u2019t stop there. Occasional adjunct instructor Tom Johnson from WOFL-TV took home a trophy for a human interest story, \u201cDanny Happy.\u201d Tricia Connelly and Tiffany Gentry were part of the group from WUCF-TV nominated for two Emmys; Gentry was a student intern when she contributed to the nominated piece. Although WUCF-TV didn\u2019t bring home a trophy this time, this year\u2019s nominations continue the station\u2019s streak of being nominated for a Regional Emmy every year of its five-year existence.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2017\/02\/suncoast-emmys-16-300x225.jpg\")