Judges

Our panel of judges comes from diverse backgrounds across the media world, including writers, filmmakers, engineers, and media educators. Together, they offer a rich mix of perspectives, skills, and experience.

Tony Sabato

Tony graduated from Ithaca college with a degree in TV, Radio, and Video Production. He has worked as a broadcast new videographer for 19 years and currently works for NBC 10 Boston. He won a new England Emmy for his drone videography in 2023.

Steve Shannon

Steve is an Emmy and Murrow Award winning photographer and editor, who has spent the last 15 years covering news in New England. He currently works for NBC Boston. He has worked in documentary filmmaking, and co-created the Out Of Sync Film Podcast.

Melissa Brayall

Melissa Brayall is currently the Digital Learning Specialist at Londonderry High School, but she spent 13 years teaching video production at Manchester West HS, MST, and Windham HS. She got her degree in TV Production from Ithaca College and also spent some time working at WMUR and in the multimedia department at the National Baseball Hall of Fame!

Mary-Paige Provost

Mary-Paige is the Senior Executive Producer of NH Chronicle, a nightly magazine program that airs on WMUR-TV and features people, places, and things to do in the State of New Hampshire. NH Chronicle features long-form storytellers, and bring viewers all around the state digging up moving human interest stories and hidden gems. She is a NH native and has been working in television since 2004, with NH Chronicle since 2011.

Anna Sabato

Anna is an executive news producer for WMUR-TV. She graduated from New Mexico in 2012 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She has worked in broadcast news for 16 years. She has been nominated for three New England Emmys.

Michael Harnois

Mike is the senior editor and producer for The Troupe Productions in Windham, New Hampshire.

David Faulkner

David Faulkner started his career with the United States Marine Corps & received training as a Motion Picture and Video Photographer and Editor - MOS 4671 & completed DINFOS training. David has a long career with various positions including camera operator, editor, producer, writer, engineer, drone operator. He has held multiple positions over the year for various known names such as Ken Burns, ESPN 2, X-Games, WPRI in Rhode Island, WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH.

Julio Del Sesto

Professor Julio Del Sesto is Professor and Chair of Journalism at Keene State College, where he has taught since 2008. He teaches courses in multimedia production, livestreaming, and photojournalism. His professional work includes productions for NHPBS, video production, and podcast production. He is a recipient of the Keene State College Alumni Association Distinguished Teacher Award.

Elyse Ruback

Elyse is the Content Director at EVR Advertising, a full-service ad agency in Manchester, NH, where she brings a strategic approach to content creation. Her career spans diverse experiences, including working at ABC Television in Los Angeles, teaching media production at the Jacob Burns Film Center in New York, and developing commercials for Southern New Hampshire University. Elyse now serves on the board of directors for Media Power Youth, a youth-development organization that provides media education opportunities for young people across New Hampshire.

Andy DeMeo

Andy is the creator of Granite Goodness, a media brand sharing stories of optimism, progress, and problem-solving across New England. A lifelong Granite Stater, Andy's work has attracted regional recognition including Stay Work Play New Hampshire’s Young Person of the Year (2025), UNH’s Alumni Sustainability Award (2025), Catapult Seacoast’s 10 to Watch (2025), and co-hosting TEDx Portsmouth 2025. When he’s not talking with optimists across New England, Andy can be found homesteading with his wife, two dogs, and nine chickens in New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley.

Shreya Rejesh

Shreya is a member of the New Hampshire Governor's Youth Advisory Council on Substance Misuse and Prevention and a rising junior at the Academy for Science and Design. She also volunteers as a project assistant with Media Power Youth, a youth-development organization that provides media education opportunities for children and teens. Shreya enjoys exploring new ideas as co-captain of her robotics team, creating content for social impact as a marketing intern, and developing STEM programs for kids. In her free time, she loves reading, writing, designing websites, and finding creative ways to help her community.

Tyler Pare

Tyler Pare is a history teacher for the Hollis Brookline Cooperative School District, where he is dedicated to helping students develop strong historical thinking and civic awareness. He also serves as a track and field coach at Hollis Brookline High School, mentoring student-athletes both on and off the track. In addition to his work in education, Tyler writes a commentary column for the New Hampshire Bulletin, offering insights on education, history, and public issues. He is also a member of the Teacher Advisory Council for Media Power Youth, contributing his expertise to promote media literacy and positive digital habits.

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