On its 20th anniversary of the award, this year's annual Jessie McCanse Award, given to individuals for their outstanding sustained contribution to the field of media literacy, was shared by two media educators.

Daughter of St. Paul Sister Rose Pacatte, founder and director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, received her honor at last month's Gabriel Awards, the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals annual ceremony for recognition of outstanding positive artistic achievement in television and radio programming.

Also honored was Chris Worsnop, pioneering Canadian media education and assessment teacher, consultant, writer and speaker, who received his award at a teacher workshop during Canada's National Media Education Week in Toronto.

The award is given by the National Telemedia Council (NTC), a Wisconsin-based non-profit organization that has been promoting a media-wise, literate, global society for over five decades. Jessie McCanse was co-founder of the NTC (formerly the American Council for Better Broadcasts) and for 60 years assumed a leadership role in media literacy.

"This year's recipients exemplify the high principles of excellence, dedication and innovation that the Jessie McCanse Award for Individual Contribution to Media Literacy represents," said " said Karen Ambrosh, NTC president. "Both Sister Rose and Chris consistently contribute deeply rich and thoughtful leadership to the field of media education of the National Telemedia Council."

Sister Pacatte has an MA in Education in Media Studies from the University of London, UK, a certificate in Pastoral Communications from the University of Dayton and facilitates online communication and media courses for the University's Virtual Learning Community of Faith Formation. She contributes film essays to The Tidings, writes the "Eye on Entertainment" column for St. Anthony Messenger, and is co-author of the "Lights, Camera...Faith! A Movie Lectionary" series.

With Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Gretchen Hailer, she co-authored "Lights, Camera... Faith! The Ten Commandments and Media Mindfulness: Educating Teens about Faith and Media" (St. Mary's Press), and in 2006 published "The Nativity Story: A Film Study Guide for Catholics." Soon to be released is "Into Great Silence: A Film Study Guide," cowritten with Jesuit Father Ron Schmidt, to be published, by Pauline Books & Media.