C-SPAN awarded honorable mention to a Lockport teenage in its annual video competition. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley talked to the Starpoint High School student and his mother about his winning documentary titled "Our College Cost Conundrum".
10TH grader Michael Pyskaty received the Honorable Mention in C-SPAN'S StudentCam competition. His video outlined the high cost of college and paying back all those student loans.
"Every year C-SPAN gives you a very general topic. This year it was a message to the President. So you had to discuss what you felt the most important things the President was to do during the new term,"
Pyskaty wants to study journalism. He conducted a very detailed and in-depth analysis of paying for a college education.
For example, Pyskaty says if he attends the University at Buffalo for four years, the total cost of tuition and loans could cost approximately $100,000.
"This is something he has become very passionate about. This is actually the fifth time he has won a national award so this is very exciting for us," said Beth Pyskaty, Michael's mom. She's a teacher at Niagara Wheatfield -- her husband also teachers at Barker Central.
Pyskaty said as educators, they are very proud of their son's competition work.
Pyskay's detailed video also examined his earning potential. He calculated is debt and the cost of living.
"I was a little shocked at the amount of money left. It ended up being $21.00 after you take everything away. It was definitely eye opening," said Pyskaty.
Pyskaty has worked at his school newspaper since 6th grade.
Pyskaty's video was among more than 1,800 submissions from more than 3,500 students. He was among 146-student winners across the United States.
“StudentCam proves yearly that students are paying attention to the pressing issues of the day- and right now, that’s the economy,” said Joanne Wheeler, SPAN Vice President of Education Relations. “As the president begins his second term, students took advantage of a great opportunity to send him a public message about what is most important to them, and the winning videos are compelling.”
Michael will receive $250 for his documentary
"Because education is an important part of Time Warner Cable’s mission, we are excited to recognize Michael Pyskaty on his winning documentary in this year’s annual C-SPAN StudentCam competition,” said Terence Rafferty, Northeast Regional VP of Operations at Time Warner Cable. “We are proud to partner with C-SPAN each year on this competition which allows students to think creatively about issues that affect their community and nation.”