Olexa Hewryk wins Daytime Emmy Award for Nickelodeon show

by Ulana Ilnytzkyj

NEW YORK - Olexa Hewryk received the prestigious 2004 Daytime Emmy Award for Nickelodeon's preschool television show "Little Bill" at a recent ceremony in New York City.

Mr. Hewryk, 32, was one of three directors singled out for his work on the show in the "Outstanding Children's Animated Program" category.

"Little Bill" is based on the popular book series of the same name by comedian-actor Bill Cosby. The weekly program, which airs on Nickelodeon and CBS weekend mornings, has been praised for helping to develop children's social skills and self-esteem. Its character, 5-year-old Bill, teaches children the value of family and community and encourages them to solve problems fairly and creatively.

Mr. Hewryk, a Fulbright scholar with a B.A. from Rhode Island School of Design, where he majored in film video and animation, was part of the creative team of "Little Bill," first working as animator and designer, and later on as a director, directing over 20 episodes of "Little Bill."

The Emmys, the Oscars of daytime television, are awarded by the National Television Academy and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and honor excellence in all fields of daytime television production. The 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony was held May 21 at the Art Deco music hall in mid-Manhattan, and was broadcast live on NBC Television.

Asked how it felt to receive television's highest honor, Mr. Hewryk said: "It feels pretty good. "Little Bill" is a really great show in terms of what it teaches kids about different people and cultures, and in terms of the multiculturalism."

"Little Bill" had been nominated for an Emmy in 2002 for "Best Preschool Children's Show."

Mr. Hewryk has worked for Nickelodeon Animation Studio East in New York City for about seven years. He is currently freelancing and developing a new project for Disney. He previously had also done work for Spike TV.

The Nickelodeon cable network reaches more than 86 million households in the U.S.

Mr. Hewryk is the son of Sophia and Titus Hewryk, formerly of Philadelphia and now of Hunter, N.Y. Titus Hewryk was director of facilities planning at the University of Pennsylvania and former president of the board of trustees of The Ukrainian Museum in New York. Sophia Hewryk is presently a member of the museum's board of trustees and chair of the Program Committee.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 20, 2004, No. 25, Vol. LXXII

| Home Page |