Special to the Reporter
The Mercer Island High School (MIHS) student air staff of KMIH 88.9 The Bridge won top honors in 15 categories at the 81st Annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference and awards, which were held virtually the first week of March in New York City. The local students were nominated in 30 categories.
“I am so proud of my students for continuing to create award-winning content even though it’s been a full year since we were able to use our radio studios on a regular basis,” said MIHS broadcast media adviser Joe Bryant. “I am also thrilled to see us win Best Website and Best Use of YouTube as these platforms transcend traditional radio and are truly a team effort. It proves to me that as broadcast media evolves, so will KMIH 88.9 The Bridge, led by our innovative MIHS students.”
The YouTube Channel was launched by student general manager Eden Voss and the website is maintained by digital assets director Andrew Howison. Voss also won top awards for Best Video Comedy Program as well as Best Video Variety Program.
Other multiple Golden Microphone award winners were Audrey Sadlier for Best News Interview, Best Womens Basketball Broadcast (with 2020 graduates Lila Shroff and Ali Shoop) and Best Community Volunteer Program (with Julia Brondello).
Gabe Gottesman and Carys Ciobanu’s Coach Ed Pepple Memorial Parade broadcast was named the nation’s Best Community Outreach Event and Gottesman’s work with Scott Pirak on the KMIH 50th Anniversary campaign won Best Station Promo Series.
Filling out the top awards categories were Paul Carver Harrison for Best Specialty Show; Quinn Staples, Best Public Service Announcement; McLean Hopkins, Will Pellerin and Sai Pipavath, Best Sports Talk Program; Everett Weeks, Best Use of Sound Effects; Sophie Prock, Best Paid Underwriting Spot; and Quinn Haba, Best Station Promotional Poster.
In addition to the top honors, students receiving finalist awards in a variety of categories included Nathan Buchan, Simon Hermelee, David Wolf, Sadie Jensen, Molly Rojas, Maddie Thompson and Sidh Shroff.
Bryant said that in addition to his admiration for how well his students have been broadcasting remotely he is also proud that so many of this year’s awards were of a community service nature.
“We like to call 88.9 The Bridge the world’s biggest little radio station since we have a global reach, but the true mission of our staff is to learn broadcasting by serving the Mercer Island community,” Bryant said.
Locally, people can tune into 88.9 The Bridge at 88.9 FM or stream the station at www.889thebridge.org. In addition to the “Music and Conversation that Spans Generations” format, KMIH also broadcasts live sports, radio dramas and graduation ceremonies or Bryant said, “anything that allows our students to find their voice, explore their creativity and share their talents with Mercer Island and the world beyond the shores of Lake Washington.”
