2026 Ceremony
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Location
AutoNation Center for the Arts
3375 SW 75 Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Schedule
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Meet the Pros
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Break
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Awards Presentation
Tickets are free, but you must RSVP by April 17, 2026.
Seating is limited.
Calvin Hughes
Local 10 News Anchor
Presenter
Calvin Hughes is a nine-time Emmy® Award-winning newscaster and anchor at WPLG-Local 10’s 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11 p.m. newscasts.
With more than 20 years of experience, he has covered many of South Florida’s most impactful and challenging events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Surfside condo collapse, the Parkland school shooting, and Hurricane Irma in 2017. Known for his fearless, on-the-ground reporting, Hughes has also delivered major international coverage. His work includes reporting from Haiti after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, where he interviewed the First Lady, and coverage from Cuba during historic visits by Pope Francis and President Barack Obama.
In 2023, Hughes earned an Emmy® Award for his Juneteenth documentary filmed in Galveston, Texas, which was syndicated nationwide. He has been recognized locally as Miami’s Best TV News Anchor three times (2011, 2022, and 2025). Beyond journalism, he is dedicated to mentorship and community involvement, teaching at the University of Miami and supporting local organizations. Hughes is also a devoted father who proudly calls South Florida home with his two sons, Solomon and Roman, and daughter, Sakala Danielle.
Lauren Pastrana
Evening News Anchor, CBS News Miami
Presenter
Lauren Pastrana is a Miami native and Emmy®-nominated multimedia journalist who serves as co-anchor of CBS News Miami’s weeknight newscasts at 5, 6, 7, and 11 p.m. She joined the station in April 2012 as a reporter and has since built a career spanning television, radio, and digital platforms, with a strong commitment to telling stories that reflect her local community.
Early in her career, Lauren balanced dual roles, working as a morning anchor at Newsradio 610 WIOD while reporting for CBS News Miami. She later became a full-time evening reporter and spent five years anchoring the station’s morning newscast. During that time, she developed engaging segments such as “Lauren’s List,” “South Florida Survivors,” “Dogs in the City,” and “Talkin’ With Joe.”
Lauren has played a key role in covering major events, including hurricanes, elections, the death of Fidel Castro, the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 social justice protests, and the arraignment of Donald Trump. She also produced and hosted the special “Illuminating Alzheimer’s,” inspired by her family’s experience.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching baseball and spending time with her husband, son Jordan and Daughter Gianela.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
This is your front-row seat to candid conversations with industry experts, live.
We're talking everything from navigating the use of AI effectively to mastering the art of capturing compelling stories. Get the inside scoop on what's really happening in the biz!
Come get inspired, connect with cool people, and maybe even leave a winner!
The Pros
Media Specialist
Peebles Communications
Executive Producer
BECON-TV
CCNN Live Advisor
Christopher Columbus
High School
Reporter
CBS Miami
Reporter
Florida Panthers TV
Sandra Peebles
Founder, Peebles Communications
Moderator
Sandra Peebles is a bilingual journalist, entrepreneur, and media mentor with decades of experience in English- and Spanish-language broadcasting. She is the founder of Peebles Communications, a boutique firm that provides media and communication skills training, and currently hosts a talk show on América Radio 1260 AM. Known for her authentic style, Sandra built a trusted presence in South Florida as a reporter and anchor for Univision 23 and NBC 6. She is a 14-time Emmy® Award winner and a passionate community advocate supporting Amigos for Kids and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Jim Guarasci
Executive Producer, M. Ed., BECON-TV
Finding the Story: Where Preparation Meets Discovery
Jim Guarasci has 34 years of experience in film and television production and is Executive Producer at BECON-TV (WBEC-TV). He’s worked in multiple areas of production including as Executive Producer, Director of Photography, Director, Videographer and First AC. He oversees School Duel, Short Cuts and Broward Teen News for BECON-TV. Past productions include commercial work with Pet Supermarket, City Furniture, Flex Seal. And various television series which aired on The History Channel, The Travel Channel, MTV, and VH1, as well as; 400 programs, informational series, and Public Service Announcements for the U.S. Government. Jim is a former Board Member of the Student Television Network. Awards include Suncoast Chapter Emmy® Award, five regional Telly Awards, three Platinum Ava Awards and Communicator Award of Excellence.
Omar Delgado
CCNN Live Advisor, Christopher Columbus High School
AI Fundamentals
Omar Delgado, an alumnus of Florida International University (B.A. in History) and Nova Southeastern University (M.S. in Teaching and Learning with a specialization in Technology), has over two decades of experience as a professional cinematographer and educator. For 22 years, he has taught at Christopher Columbus High School, where he advises CCNN Live, a nationally recognized journalism program. Under his leadership, students have earned 109 regional and 18 national Student Production Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), along with six national championships at the Student Television Network (STN). As Director of Educational Technology and Learning Development, Omar leads the CTech team in advancing faculty professional growth. An Apple Learning Coach and certified in ChatGPT integration, he actively contributes to media education through FSPA board work and judging. His program has earned six Broadcast Pacemakers from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA).
Morgan Rynor
Reporter, CBS News Miami
Breaking News Blueprint: Accurate Info, Confident Delivery, Earned Trust
Morgan Rynor joined the CBS News Miami team as a reporter in August 2023. She started her on-air career as a general assignment and political reporter in Fort Myers, Florida. She then went to California where she was the political correspondent for TV stations in San Diego and Sacramento. During her time in California, Morgan was nominated for an Emmy® for her in-depth story explaining two complicated ballot measures aimed at legalizing sports betting, campaigns that outspent every other ballot measure in the state’s history. At CBS Miami, Morgan was nominated for another Emmy® for her extensive coverage on Hurricane Milton in Fort Pierce where several deadly tornadoes struck. Morgan is a proud graduate of the University of Florida. She won an Associated Press Award for Best Breaking News while covering a confederate rally outside of a football game.
Katie Engleson
Reporter, Florida Panthers TV
On the Edge of the Ice: Reporting Rinkside
Katie Engleson is a rinkside reporter for the Florida Panthers. Prior to joining the Panthers, Engleson spent four years in Dallas, Texas, as a host and reporter with Bally Sports Southwest where she covered a multitude of teams across different leagues in the Southwest region. She was also one of the lead sideline reporters for the network’s high school football coverage and host of The Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Show. Engleson was nominated for three Emmys while in Dallas. Additionally, she was a sideline reporter for the WNBA, covering the Dallas Wings for both FOX Sports Southwest and CBS Sports Network. Before moving to Dallas, Katie spent two years with the ABC-affiliate, KXXV-TV in Waco, Texas as the channel's Weekday Sports Reporter and Weekend Sports Anchor covering predominantly Baylor University Athletics, as well as the Big 12 conference. Engleson graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School before attending the University of Alabama where she received a B.A. in telecommunications and film.
2025 Suncoast Student Production Awards Ceremony
Crystal Pillars
Have you received a Student Production Award in past years?
It’s never too late to commemorate your achievement with a beautiful crystal pillar award.
Our crystal pillars feature the Emmy® logo and are personalized with an inscription celebrating your accomplishment.
All prices include personalization. Shipping is not included.
High School Pillar: $125 | College Pillar: $145