Aaron Pritchett ('96) won honors in three media categories at the 15th Annual Excel Awards. A broadcast journalist for CBS affiliate WTKR NewsChannel 3 in Hampton Roads, Pritchett earned special recognition in general television news, news series and sports broadcasting.

"It is a great honor any time you can be recognized for your work," says Pritchett, whose interest in broadcast journalism was sparked by an internship at a small-scale television ministry in Staunton, Va. "During my nine-year career in television news and behind the camera, I have loved being able to be a voice for the voiceless, a creative story teller. I've enjoyed being able to make a difference in the lives of the viewers that we serve. I'm a very visual person and love talking to people, telling their stories and taking viewers on a journey each and every day to tell the stories that affect them most."

The Excel Awards are sponsored by the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals, which provides the African-American community with professional insight into media coverage and operations, supports the careers of media professionals and creates annual scholarships for eligible minority students. The Black Media Professionals organization was founded in 1982 as Tidewater Media Communicators and its mission is exclusive to charitable, educational and mentorship purposes.

Pritchett's winning entries in the 2004 Excel Awards competition included the story of a North Carolina woman who has faced a lifetime of segregation and racism, the plight of felons fighting to regain voting rights and the future of a talented high school basketball player. He has also covered headliners like hurricanes Dennis, Floyd and Isabel.

Pritchett has served WTKR and its viewers for six years. While manning the cameras, he has won the CrimeLine Award and numerous other media awards on the local, regional, national and international levels. Off air, Pritchett enjoys spending time with Emily and sons, Matthew and Robbie.  

--  Katelyn Wyszynski ('07)