Applications
are now available for the Justin Hinds Scholarship, sponsored by the Northern
Middlesex County Cable Advisory Council. Graduating seniors entering a communications program after high
school, who live in Middletown,
Middlefield, Portland, East Hampton and Cromwell are eligible for the scholarship.
The Northern Middlesex
County Cable Advisory Council represents the towns of Middletown, Middlefield, Portland, East Hampton and
Cromwell.
In 2013, the Council
initiated a scholarship program for graduating seniors from member towns who plan
to study communications or a communications related field after high
school. The scholarship is in memory of Justin Hinds
(1988 – 2011).
Justin Hinds joined the Public Access family in 2007
with the help of MARC Community Recourses. He
began as an “Intern” learning the behind the scenes ropes of Television
Production. He participated in all the trainings that
were offered including Lighting, Set Design, and the Director’s Workshop, and
to supplement his training, volunteered for all the shows he possible
could. He was a camera man, ran audio, graphics and
at times filled in as Director. He worked on live shows such as:The
Variety Hour, The Edge, The Sebastiano Show, Up and Coming, Ralph and Friends,
and Portland on the Move, just to name a few. He also participated in
skits becoming Big Boss J, and sat in as a co-host when needed.
In early 2008, eager with his love of sports, it was
now time for Justin to start his own show and Sports Talk was born. With a lot of love and hard work a set was
created with sports pictures in the background and completed with a news desk
holding various sports props. Justin asked his long-time friend Justin Danielewicz to sit in as co-host
and on the 3rd Friday of the new month at 8pm the first live
show was on its way. Every month a new live show went off without a
hitch.
Justin’s crew came from all the friends he had made
the previous year through all the work he did for others around the
studio. His expansive knowledge of sports was an attraction for various
guests that appeared throughout the year, and his dedication and hard work paid
off as viewership grew and live calls began to roll in.
At the end of 2008 Justin was ready to start the
next chapter in his life, college. With a very successful show now
running, he pasted the torch to his co-host Justin Danielewicz (JD). Justin
left many fond memories at the studio and to this day when we mention his name,
several fun and unique stories begin to be told.
Justin embodied what Public Access is all
about. We are a family, and Justin became part of all of ours.
2014 will be the first year
for students to be eligible for this scholarship.
Applications
are available by sending an e-mail to Marco Iacoviello at:
and
through the Guidance Offices of the following High Schools: Cromwell High
School (for residents of Cromwell), Xavier High School, Mercy High School, Snow
School, Middletown High School (for Middletown and Middlefield residents), Valley
View School (for residents of Portland) and East Hampton High School (for
residents of East Hampton).
Scholarship applications
are due March 31 and official notifications are made by the high schools during
Senior Year Award ceremonies.
