Stella Govitz, a junior in the School of Journalism at ComArtSci, loves storytelling. As an emerging journalist, she is honing her craft by recognizing the achievements of people in the MSU and mid-Michigan communities. But recently, Govitz was a bit surprised to learn her own achievements were being recognized as well.
“I didn’t even know that my work was submitted,” Govitz said. “I found out in a text a few weeks ago (that I’d won).”
Govitz is a 2024 recipient of the Philo Awards, which recognizes excellence among public-access television producers in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. It’s sponsored by the Central States Alliance for Community Media. Govitz will be presented with a Student Documentary award October 24 in Hamilton, Ohio.
In 2023, Govitz produced news packages as an intern with HOMTV, Meridian Township’s government access channel.
“I would go out in the community and film various events,” said Govitz. “I took a lot of photos at the township farmers’ market and during the annual Celebrate Meridian Festival in the summer. They also wanted us to have a more specialized project, too. It was great because they let me have a lot of creative freedom with that.”
Govitz produced a documentary series entitled “Meridian Makers.” The first episode, which chronicled the history of HOM-TV from its origins in the 1970’s, aired last summer. Then, for the second episode last fall, Govitz decided on a more profile-based approach.
“I wanted to do this young environmentalist angle because Meridian Township is really unique in that it's very devoted to environmentalism and sustainability,” Govitz said. “That’s even included on its website. So, because that’s one of the township’s pillars, I thought that would be good to explore.”
Govitz profiled the township’s environmental programs coordinator, a then-high school student who served on the Meridian Environmental Commission, and two local students who produced their own podcast focused on sustainability.
“They’re super fired up about this,” Govitz said. “It’s nice to see people younger than me passionate about protecting the Earth.”
“Meridian Makers” received positive feedback, both from her interviewees and the HOM-TV management, who submitted Govitz’s work for the Philo Awards.
“I’m pretty sure my former boss uses the documentaries I made as training for new interns,” said Govitz. “She had a lot of great things to say about it.”
Govitz is currently majoring in journalism with minors in documentary production and public relations. She’s also refining her student profiling skills as a writer in the ComArtSci Career Center. It’s likely Govitz will continue at MSU after graduation in December 2025.
“I love working with video and I love writing,” Govitz said. “I’m fairly certain that after I graduate I'm going to be pursuing a Master’s degree in journalism with a concentration in documentary production here at MSU. That would be my biggest goal.”
By Kevin Lavery