PATCHOGUE, NY – MARCH 6, 2006 – The New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has honored St. Joseph’s College student Breianne Travalena with two New York Emmy nominations for her role in the production of two news features on News 12 Long Island. Travalena’s broadcasts of “Grodski’s Park,” the profile of a local man who builds and sells amazing birdhouses, and “James Madocks,” the narrative of a Special Olympics record breaker in speed walking, earned her both nominations. Her nominations for both productions are in the “Single News Feature” category, and accompany fellow nominees from CBS-TV, News 12 Westchester and News 12 New Jersey.

A junior at St. Joseph’s College, Travalena is president of the Recreation Club. Prior to enrolling at St. Joseph’s College to finish her degree in Therapeutic Recreation, she was employed by News 12 Long Island.

“It was a great opportunity for me to bring together two of my passions; journalism and awareness to those with impairments,” recalls Breianne Travalena of her Emmy nominated broadcast on Special Olympian, James Madocks. “Many people think of individuals like James as having more limitations than strengths. Hopefully, his story shows that this isn’t always the case.”

The commended feature, “James Madocks,” profiles a Long Island Special Olympics athlete with the same name. Madocks, despite being mentally impaired, has shattered Special Olympic records in speed walking and is considered the fastest walker in the New York region of the Special Olympics. The broadcast follows Madocks through his daily routine as he travels to work and then to the track with his teammates and coaches, to illustrate his independence, strength and determination to excel.

“Grodski’s Park” tells the story of Charles Grodski, a 78 year-old man living in St. James, Long Island who builds spectacular birdhouses for the public to view and purchase. Grodski, a retired woodworker, transformed his property into a park where people can come and view these magnificent avian habitats and maybe even take one home. All of the profit that Grodski takes in, he donates to a variety of causes, including hurricane relief and 9-11 disaster relief. Grodski is also the author of the “Birdhouse Builder’s Manual.”

The New York Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievements in television, originally broadcast, or cablecast, in New York or Northern New Jersey. The 2006 Emmy awards will be presented on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at The Marriott Marquis in New York City. For more information, please contact Robin Lombardo at (631) 447-3922.

About St. Joseph's College

St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility, and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in over 21 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs through its School of Arts and Sciences and its School of Adult and Professional Education. Graduate degrees are also offered including an Executive MBA, a Master of Science in Management, a Master of Science Degree with a Major in Nursing, a Master of Arts in Literacy/Cognition and a Master of Arts in Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Special Education.