For some high school students news and media are hobbies, a way to pass the time and have a little fun until they move onto to college and pursue another path. But for some the bug hits early and they approach news and media as their life’s passion.

Students from both groups participated in Ohio University Southern’s 14th annual EMPixx Awards at the Ironton campus Friday. The students came to Southern not only to receive awards for projects they submitted for competiton, but also attended various workshops on everything from photojournalism to video production. The event also gave students the opportunity to check out Southern’s electronic media program and what it has to offer.

“I thought it was really interesting to come here and hear the presenters speak to us,” Alex Black, Fairland High School senior, said. “I’m considering coming here after high school because I want to work in electronic media or broadcasting. I just like going to all the places, talking to the people and learning new things. I just think it is a blast.”

Black said this was his second time at EMPixx and coming back as a senior was very interesting to him as media has become his passion and he really focused on what the presenters had to share.

Katie Wiley, OUS freshman and student organizer of the event, said it was hard work, but a great opportunity to make the event ready. A former Fleming County High School, Ky., student, Wiley is no stranger to EMPixx, having been a participant while in high school.

“I’ve really wanted to go into directing and producing and this really helps with that foundation,” Wiley said. “I mean, I’ve coordinated a complete show with 12 presenters, 13 schools and 254 students and I figure if I can manage this, I can produce a TV show or a newscast.”

One of the presenters Wiley managed was Jeff Ford, owner of The Millimeter Creative Group in Cincinnati. An Ironton High School and OUS graduate who has presented at EMPixx in the past, he said he enjoys coming down and sharing his knowledge with the next generation.

Ford said the sophistication and lower prices of today’s technology makes it easier for students to have access to software and equipment to produce quality product for much less money than it would have cost in the past.

“The barriers that have always existed are now gone,” Ford said. “It is important though that we don’t let the tools substitute the vision or the art. I think that’s where something like the EMPixx comes in. It helps to take the kids who have the energy or enthusiasm, and now, in many cases, the technology to make it, and helps steer them into a career path that is commercially marketable.”

The 2013 EMPixx keynote speaker was Brad Kalinoski, an award-winning special effects producer in Hollywood. Kalinoski grew up in Huntington, W.Va.

The event drew 156 entries from over 250 students from 13 high schools in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

The following is a complete list of first and second place 2013 EMPixx Awards recipients:

• Animation: 1st Place – Lakewood Local High School; 2nd Place – Russell High School

• Audio Production: 1st Place – Collins Career Center; 2nd Place – Fairland High School

• Digital Photography: 1st Place – South Point High School; 2nd Place – Lewis County High School

• Entertainment: 1st Place – Collins Career Center; 2nd Place – Bloom Carroll High School

• Independent: 1st Place – Fairland High School; 2nd Place – Fairland High School

• Multimedia Print: 1st Place – Lewis County High School; 2nd Place – Pike County CTC

• Multimedia Web: 1st Place – Fairland High School; 2nd Place – Fairland High School

• Newscast: 1st Place – Fairland High School; 2nd Place – Chillicothe High School

• News Feature Story: 1st Place – Fairland High School; 2nd Place – Chillicothe High School

• Radio Commercial: 1st Place – Chesapeake High School; 2nd Place – Chesapeake High School

• Sports News Feature: 1st Place – Fairland High School; 2nd Place – Fairland High School

• Video Commercial: 1st Place – Fleming County High School; 2nd Place – Fairland High School

• Judge’s Choice: Alyssa Arthur, Chesapeake High School

• Best of Show: Lauren Hough, Lewis County High School