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The ���ϲ����� Student Media Board celebrated and recognized the achievements of its members for their exemplary work throughout the academic year on Tuesday, May 12. Because the Media Board was unable to meet for its annual in-person celebration, the event went virtual to honor students.

The Student Media Board represents six organizations – Colonnades Literary & Art Journal, ���ϲ����� News Network, ���ϲ����� Student Television, Limelight Records, Phi Psi Cli Yearbook and WSOE 89.3FM – all of which have continued to inform and entertain the campus from afar during the pandemic.

“I know you’re probably feeling wistful about your student media experiences right now,” said Media Board chair and School of Communications Director of Student Engagement and Alumni Relations Colin Donohue in a pre-recorded video message. “I’m also heartened by the ways you’ve stayed connected to each other and to campus. You’re not here physically, but your presence is felt, and that lends me at least a small sense of normalcy.”

This year’s banquet keynote speaker was scheduled to be Amy Reitnouer Jacobs ’09, co-founder of The BlueGrass Situation with comedian, producer and actor Ed Helms, a company that encompasses content creation, live music production and target audience marketing.

Jacobs graduated in 2009 amid a financial recession, similar to what seniors are facing now, and in a video message urged students to find opportunity in the unexpected, just as she did more than a decade ago.

“I found my place in an unexpected opportunity when I recognized a gap in the market,” Jacobs said. “My challenge for you today is to find that opportunity for yourself. Look at what innovations will need to be made in this current pandemic, in the coming financial crisis that awaits us, and look at it as something that you can create for yourself, that you can take advantage of, and that you can hopefully make a difference in the world by doing. This is not going to be easy, but if I know ���ϲ����� students, I know that you can handle it.”

Every year, student media organizations present awards to honor their Newcomer of the Year, Peak Performer and Outstanding Team Member. Listed below are the students who were chosen for these honors by the members of their organizations.

Colonnades Literary & Art Journal

Newcomer of the Year: Amelia Porter ’20
Peak Performers: Madison Engle ’20, Madison Foster ’20
Outstanding Team Member: Chloë Ekberg ’20

���ϲ����� News Network

Newcomer of the Year: Lauren Singles ’23
Peak Performer: Amanda Gibson ’20
Outstanding Team Member: Clare Grant ’23

���ϲ����� Student Television

Newcomer of the Year: Melanie Meisner ’23
Peak Performer: Charlie Breckenridge ’22 
Outstanding Team Member: Patty Benson ’20, Katy Hall ’20

Limelight Records

Newcomer of the Year: Justin Starr ’22
Peak Performer: Eliza Spear ’22
Outstanding Team Member: Andrew High ’21

Phi Psi Cli 

Newcomer of the Year: Sarah Rusthoven ’23
Peak Performer: Dana Weiner ’20
Outstanding Team Member: Kathryn Williams ’22

WSOE 89.3FM

Newcomer of the Year: Andrew Hartle ’23
Peak Performer: Patrick Larsen ’20
Outstanding Team Member: Cameron Birtcher ’22