Walter Cronkite Awards Walter Cronkite was the honorary chairperson of the Stone Soup Leadership Institute for many years. His influence in preparing youth as future leaders led to the Walter Cronkite Awards, which are presented to those who use the power of the media to create positive social change. A recipient this year is the Vineyard’s own filmmaker Liz Witham, who created Film-Truth Productions with her filmmaking partner Ken Wentworth.

Bob Nixon, another Walter Cronkite Award winner this year, is an Academy Award-nominated director of documentary films. In 1992 he launched the Earth Conservation Corps on the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., connecting disenfranchised young people with the environment.

The awards ceremony is on Thursday, August 8, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. A reception benefitting the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative follows at the Harbor View Hotel. Suggested donation for the reception is $150 and seating is limited. Reserve seats by visiting mvyli.org/wca-rsvp.