The annual Washington State High School Radio Awards and Conference was held on Thursday at Nathan Hale High School and Mercer Island’s KMIH-FM earned a second-place award for Overall Excellence, being edged by Peninsula High’s KGHP in Gig Harbor.
“Congratulations to these students and their instructor Joe Bryant,” said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “Their dedication has made KMIH one of the best student radio stations in the state.”
“I am super proud of my students and am glad to see them rewarded for all their hard work and great radio,” first-year MIHS media and communications instructor Joe Bryant said. “We are honored to come in second to a quality and long-established program like Peninsula but we will be coming after them next year.”
In addition to the Overall Excellence Award, Mercer Island junior Natalie Newcomb won first place for Best News Feature and third place for Best Public Affairs program. Newcomb is pursuing a career in broadcast journalism, will be at NPR affiliate KUOW this summer and recently interviewed KING 5 anchor Lori Matsukawa for a feature story aired on KMIH.
Seniors Ian Martin and Sam Hibbert won first for their play-by-play coverage of Mercer Island basketball and Martin also placed second for Best Sports Production for the Islanders Hoops pregame show.
Sophomore Parker Simpson took third for best Radio Station Imaging.
“Dinner With Leah” host Leah Raissis was awarded second for Best Show Promo, and freshman Emily Reyes won second for Best Radio Show for her popular program “Everybody Loves Emily.”
“To have one of my Freshman Intro students be recognized is particularly fulfilling,” Bryant said. “Emily was up against some stiff competition. This is a young lady who was too shy to speak in front of the class when we started in September and now she hosts one of the most entertaining shows you will find anywhere on the dial. I am not aware of a freshman ever winning a state award for Best Show in the past.”
Listen to KMIH/Hot Jamz Radio on 88.9 and 94.5 FM and worldwide at www.hotjamz.org. KMIH is a service of the Mercer Island School District and is operated by the students of Mercer Island High School under the supervision of longtime Seattle radio personality and former co-host of the Bob Rivers Show “Downtown” Joe Bryant.
