KMIH 889 The Bridge, the Mercer Island High School student radio station, received eight Golden Microphone awards at the 77th Annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference and Awards in New York City.

Sophomores Luka Marceta and Max Tanzer were awarded the Grand Prize Golden Microphones for delivering the nation’s Best Newscast and Sports Interview. Tanzer also received an award for Best Sports Talk Show.

Other Islanders receiving awards were Best Air Personality Finalists, Matt McLellan and Emily Reyes; Best Sports Interview Finalist, Natalie Newcomb; Best Promotional Production Series, Parker Simpson; and Best Newscast Finalist, Hannah Wainwright.

“Congratulations to these students,” said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “They have achieved a high level of excellence while competing against the best radio programs in high school and in college as well. Their teacher, Joe Bryant, is the reason our students have soared to new heights in broadcasting.”

This annual gathering gave students the opportunity to meet media professors and advisors from top universities nationwide and also attend sessions hosted by industry professionals who are working at the stations and networks in New York City.

“To hear our students’ names called and watch them as they received Golden Microphones in a hotel ballroom packed with broadcasters, students and educators from all over the country was a thrill that I will never forget,” said Joe Bryant, KMIH broadcast media instructor. “I have been telling my students that they are doing some of the very best high school radio in the country and this national recognition makes it official.”

For more, contact Bryant at joe.bryant@mercerislandschools.org.