Emmy-Presenting NATAS Nominates Richards High School's 'Bulldog Dispatch' for National Award

The Foundation of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has announced that the Harold L. Richards High School news magazine show, "Bulldog Dispatch," is a nominee for Outstanding Magazine Program in the 2026 National Student Production Awards.

Nominees were selected from high school student entries across the country in 28 programming and craft categories. Richards' nomination follows Bulldog Dispatch's win last May of a Chicago/Midwest NATAS Crystal Pillar award, which qualified it for the national competition. This is the first time in school history that Richards has been nominated for this national award.

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More than 350 winning entries from the NATAS regional chapters were submitted for consideration in the National Student Production Awards competition, to be judged by distinguished industry professionals and media academics.

Bulldog Dispatch Advisor Aaron Vermedal, a digital media teacher at Richards, submitted the nomination. The Richards students listed in the nomination are Class of 2026 graduate Alondra German, junior Grady Gilhooly, and senior Grace Tresch. Bulldog Dispatch is nominated for its January newscast, which included stories about Richards' Special Olympics Basketball Team, a student author spotlight, and a news story about wrestling weight challenges.

"Richards' Bulldog Dispatch, with the leadership of Mr. Vermedal, consistently produces outstanding work," said Richards Principal Dr. MaLinda Majoch. "Our students' talent shines through in each and every episode. These young people are thoughtful, creative, and incredibly competent. To be recognized at the national level is a huge honor for our school."

"These students are so impressive," Vermedal said. "They continue to go above and beyond on their path of learning to be great storytellers. The amount of work and effort they contribute to our crew is exceptional. I am so lucky to be surrounded by students like these."

Award winners will be announced on Nov. 20 beginning at noon (CT) on the NATAS YouTube Channel.

For more information, please visit https://theemmys.tv/foundation/.