Mercer Island High School seniors Natalie Newcomb and Matthew McLellan are the Mercer Island Rotary Club’s students of the month for January. MIHS radio teacher Joe Bryan presented the students to the Rotary at a recent meeting, emphasizing their heavy involvement in the school’s radio station.

Mercer Island School District Dr. Gary Plano presented the students their plaques.

In a letter to Rotarians, Newcomb said the school’s radio station has been the highlight of her high school career.

“It is a place that has allowed me to discover my love for broadcast journalism and display my creative side,” Newcomb wrote. “I wanted the station to be more known in the Mercer Island community and possibly have the same impact on other students that it has had on me. I created the student spotlight to draw attention to students who deserve to be highlighted while also drawing attention to the station.”

Newcomb works as the radio station’s operations manager, and also helps students with recording and studio equipment and speaks with them about possible radio show topics in her Intro Radio Class.

“Many students don’t realize talk radio begins with small conversations between friends,” Newcomb wrote.

Newcomb was recognized with three Washington State High School Radio awards the past couple of years, including third place Best Public Service Announcement, first place for Best News Feature and third place for Best Imaging Piece.

She also received the Principal’s Award last year for embodying the school motto of integrity, innovation and inspiration.

Newcomb’s extracurricular activities include piano, she’s a Chinese language student and is involved with the Japanese Tea Ceremony.

She is the daughter of Jonathon and Akiko Newcomb.

McLellan is also involved in radio as the head engineer at Hot Jamz Radio.

In addition, he works as a ski school director at Snoqualmie Mountain, is a director at Camp Parsons and a lifeguard at the Mercer Island Beach Club.

McLellan’s community involvement includes work with the United Service Organization and he has volunteered 970 hours.

McLellan’s interests and activities include Mount Baker Rowing, in which he was named a regional winner from in 2013-2016; Snoqualmie skiing; the Boy Scouts; Beach Club Swim Team; and performing on the MIHS band drumline as a section leader.

McLellan is the son of Jen and Malcom McLellan.