Mesa High School alumnus nominated for college television award

Mesa High School alumnus Evan Jensen has been nominated for the Television Academy Foundation’s 44th College Television Awards.
The foundation’s annual awards show recognizes and rewards excellence in student-produced programs from colleges across the country. Winners in the competition will be announced by television stars at the red carpet awards ceremony on April 5 at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, California, according to a release.

Designed to emulate the Emmy Awards, student entries are judged by Television Academy members. Criteria for the College Television Awards reflect industry standards of excellence, imagination and innovation.

Jensen, along with classmates at Brigham Young University, is nominated in the commercial, PSA or promo category for producing and writing a spec commercial titled Manumalo (Victory) — Nike, which was selected from over 200 entries from universities nationwide by Television Academy members.

The Nike spec ad features the sport of Samoan fire-knife dancing. A Samoan fire-knife dancer is a performer who dances with a flaming knife, known as a “nifo oti,” by twirling, tossing and catching it in a skilled display of acrobatics, it recreates the movements of a traditional Samoan warrior showcasing their battle prowess.

“My role on the project was producer, which involved taking ownership of the organizational and logistical aspects of the production,” Jensen said in the release. “I managed the budgets and created detailed spreadsheets to ensure every dollar was allocated effectively, balancing creativity with financial responsibility. On set, I played a leadership role, coordinating with the crew, solving problems on the fly, and ensuring that the vision of the commercial came to life without compromising the timeline or quality.

“The most challenging part was filming at sunset in freezing temperatures,” said Jensen. “With the limited window of perfect lighting, every moment mattered, adding pressure to execute (production) quickly and flawlessly.

“Being nominated for a College Television Award is a humbling experience and a meaningful acknowledgment of the hard work and collaboration that went into this project,” continued Jensen. “It’s exciting to see our efforts recognized alongside such talented peers, and it reinforces the value of meticulous planning and teamwork. Winning would be an incredible honor and a testament to what’s possible when a passionate team comes together to create something special. Regardless of the outcome, this nomination has already been a highlight of my career and a reminder to keep striving for excellence.”

Jensen is a 2024 graduate of Brigham Young University who majored in strategic advertising. Originally from Mesa, he attended Mesa High School.

Attending nominees of the 44th College Television Awards will participate in professional development events with media and industry leaders and a special screening of their projects for Television Academy members prior to the awards show on April 5.

For information on the foundation, go to https://www.televisionacademy.com/foundation.