MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Bacone College’s new 21st Century Media and Communications program is off to a great start by winning the first Telly award for the college. The Telly Awards has named Andrew Sikora as a winner in the 36th annual Telly Awards for his piece titled “Cherokee Veterans from Bacone.”

Sikora is an award-winning filmmaker and the head of the new media and communications program.  



“With nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor for the college and a sample of what is yet to come from the New Bacone,” said Bacone President Franklin Willis.



“Cherokee Veteran’s from Bacone” is a tribute to all of the valiant Native American servicemen and women who have passed through the college’s halls.

Set on Bacone’s historical campus, the piece features Cherokee Nation citizens and Bacone Alumni Captain John Adair of the US Navy and Sergeant Don Stroud of the US Army. 



The film takes an in-depth look at how Bacone College played a part in the lives of many Native American veterans, and was often a soldier’s home of record. The piece initially aired as the opening segment of OETA’s “Native Oklahoma,” which focused on the experiences of Native American Vietnam veterans and ways different tribes prepared servicemen and women for war, welcomed them home, helped them readjust to civilian life, and honored them.



The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films.  Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.



A prestigious judging panel of more than 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. Entries do not compete against each other, but are judged against a high standard of merit. 



“The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, executive director of the Telly Awards.  Bacone College’s and Andrew Sikora’s accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.”




Visit http://youtu.be/0Q4op3Qltcc to view the award-winning video.