DANBURY, Connecticut — A dedicated student crew at Western Connecticut State University is taking full advantage of their technological tools and social media expertise to present WestConn’s 14th annual “Election Connection” news production providing local coverage of Connecticut races as well as weather updates and exploration of important issues.
Since its debut in November 2011, “Election Connection” has provided election night coverage of news and race results featuring an anchor team of students, supported by student reporters covering key races and voter concerns. This year’s show airs on election evening, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Election Connection will stream over YouTube at WCSU Studio Election Connection, Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElectionCT and on the WestConn website at www.wcsu.edu/live. A radio simulcast will air on WXCI-91.7 FM. Social media access is available on X (Twitter) at https://x.com/ElectionCT.
Executive Producer Dr. JC Barone, professor of Communication and Media Arts, observed that students participating in the interdisciplinary course that produces “Election Connection” have been staying late after class and working weekends because a commitment to the program drives them.
Under Barone’s supervision, the student production team is led by Producers Yianna Kariotis, of East Haddam, and Gabriel Wilkins, of Washington Depot; Director Edmar Rocha, of Danbury; and Field Manager Laumega Lamour, of Danbury. Anchors for the show are Garth Betts, of Watertown; Joanne Ortiz, of New Milford; and Buster Comaskey, of New Milford. Election Connection’s race analyst Logan Montalto, of Middlebury, will deliver updates on state and national races of import. Other students in leadership roles include studio floor manager Shauna Llamas, of New Hartford, and meteorology students Jasmine Edmunds, of Rocky Hill; Luke Theriault, of Terryville; and Cameron Kurasz, of Norwich,
Other students performing various reporting and production roles are Brian Armstrong, of New Milford; Cesar Arnao, of Danbury; Shane Carolan, of Cortlandt Manor, New York; Michael Cruz, of Danbury; Mathew Garcia, of Mamaroneck, New York; David Goodman, of Ridgefield; Peter Jennings, of Danbury; Daniel Joseph, of Waterbury; Brandon LaRose, of Uncasville; Andrew Lewis, of Danbury; Justin Niles, of Brewster, New York; Steffi Otero, of Danbury; Camila Paredes, of Danbury; Andrew Soto, of Norwalk; Richard Stefan, of Danbury; John Stefanopoulos, of Fairfield; and Peter Trinchillo, of New Fairfield. Technical streaming support is provided by Scott Volpe, Associate Director of Media Services & Instructional Technology.
Barone has drawn from his extensive professional experience to design the course as a vehicle to train students in media and news production for the demands of today’s job market. “This year’s election is important with the presidential and down ballot races to report on,” he said. “Word has spread that this is an educational experience that will help students in their careers regardless of what their discipline is.”
WestConn’s “Election Connection” productions have earned recognitions from professional organizations in the communications field, including honors in the category of Studio Multi-Camera Production at the national Broadcast Education Association’s Festival of Media Arts as well as Student Production Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England. Additional recognitions include Telly Awards for Live Coverage and a Communicator Award of Distinction from the International Academy of the Visual Arts. “Our goal is consistently to deliver quality programming to the community and Connecticut,” Barone said.
For more information, contact Barone at baronej@wcsu.edu or Communications and Marketing at pr@wcsu.edu.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.