Congressman Steve Knight, CA-25, visited Castaic Middle School Tuesday morning to congratulate CMStv students on their win at the Student Television Network convention.

Knight presented certificates to the CMStv students, who took home six awards — one first place award, two third place awards, one fourth place award and two fifth place awards.

“I think (programs like CMStv are) extremely exciting for young people to get involved if you want to be an anchor someday and be in this type of business, this is a perfect inroads to get you there,” said Knight, adding that he believes there should be more funding for programs like CMStv. “I think that the arts, the music and other programs that might be outside of your five core subjects are kind of a way of producing a different line of thinking.”

They were among more than 3,000 students and teachers at the 13th annual STN convention, which ran from March 10 – 13 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia is ranked the third state in the nation for the most movies filmed and inspired the 2016 convention theme, “Southern Exposure,” according to STN’s website. The overall convention theme, “Tell the Story,” aims to inspire the students attending the convention to seek topics of interest to youth.

Students at Castaic Middle School won awards for the following:

• First Place — Middle School Convention — Aidan Johnson
• Third Place — Middle School Breaking News — Becca Hudson
• Third Place — Middle School Movie Trailer — Susan Chamling and Alexis Tabibian
• Fourth Place — Middle School Spot Feature — Macy Kirkwood
• Fifth Place — Middle School Music Video — Amber Griffith
• Fifth Place — Crazy 8s MS News Magazine — CMStv

CMStv began broadcasting in it’s current format in 2008, according to the program’s website. Since 2008, the program has won numerous national awards, including the first Student Television Network Middle School Excellence Award in 2010.

“Many former CMSTV students have went on to distinguish themselves at West Ranch High TV or Valencia High TV and gone on to become working professionals,” according to the website.