MIHS Has Winner and Two Runner-Ups in New York Times 7th Annual Student Podcast Contest 

Mercer Island, WA, August 26, 2024 - It’s been an award winning summer for MIHS broadcast and podcasting students with senior Sam Paddor leading the way.

For the second consecutive year Sam was named a winner in Annual New York Times Student Podcast Contest, now in its seventh year. In this year's entry Sam took a deep dive into the history of protest songs with a podcast titled “Singing Songs and Carrying Signs: How Protest Songs Changed America”. 

In 2023 he won with a production chronicling the history of the 1969 Woodstock music and arts fair, conducting interviews with artists who performed there including folk legend Arlo Guthrie and Jorma Kaukonen of the Jefferson Airplane.

Commenting on his repeat win Sam said "Protest songs have always been of interest to me. Music has a way of capturing the artist’s emotion perfectly, giving the listener an opportunity to step into their chosen artist’s shoes and see what they are singing about in a new light. For songs that don’t have much to say, sure the story about it may not be interesting. But for songs that became protest anthems in their time, not only do they have a lot to say, but their meaning is highlighted by each song's historical context. I am honored to be a repeat winner of the New York Times Student Podcast Competition! I am always happy to talk about music history to anyone that will listen, and I'm glad that this contest gave me a platform to do so. I hope to continue making more music history content in the coming year that can be heard on 88.9 The Bridge!" 

In addition to Sam’s winning entry three other current or former MIHS students received recognition in the annual competition, which drew more than 1,100 entries this year. Class of 2024 graduates Grace Go and Luke Gollin were named runners up for their podcast “A Roof For Everyone” which explored solutions to Seattle’s widespread homelessness.

MIHS junior Alanna Larson was also named a runner up for her entry “Music: A Bridge From Loneliness to Connection” which is an exploration of loneliness, music, and social bonding using her experiences in the MIHS high school band community.

MIHS Broadcast Media teacher and KMIH 88.9 The Bridge General Manager Joe Bryant says “At Mercer Island high school we value broadcasting student voice and the fact that our amazing crew continues to win prestigious national awards year after year demonstrates that our kids have a lot of interesting and important things to say. I am proud of all of our students who take the time to create compelling content to be entered for awards consideration.” 

The New York Times is not the only contest where the KMIH student staff excelled over the summer. The John Drury High School Radio Awards nominees were also announced in August and KMIH is up for 13 awards. Named after the legendary ABC Chicago news anchor, these awards salute the best in high school radio. Winners will be announced at a live ceremony on November 2 at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

The KMIH nominees are:

• Best Podcast - Chloe Yang
• Best Sportscast - Maggie Blohm
• Best Sports Talk Show - Liam Murawski, Brendan McGuire and Milo Berkley
• Best Specialty Music Show - Sam Paddor
• Best Newscast - Chloe Yang and Nicole Henderson
• Best News Feature - Hayley Nguyen
• Best Public Affairs Program - Sophia Loiselle
• Best Promo - Kate Lenington and Sophia Loiselle
• Best Public Service Announcement - Brooke Newell and Mia Tamarkin
• Excellence in Student Leadership - Toly Odievich. 

In addition to the individual accolades the KMIH student staff is also nominated for Best Website, Best Use of Social Media, and High School Radio Station of the year. 

“It’s a thrill to see our students nominated for so many Drury awards,” said Bryant. “Radio is a big deal in the Midwest and the Radio Hall of Fame is in Chicago. We may need to head to the Windy City with our students in November to have a deep dish pizza and be present when the winners are announced.” 

Entering his 10th year teaching broadcasting at MIHS, Bryant was honored with a big award last year when The Bob Rivers Show, which he produced and co-hosted for 25 years, was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. 

Listen to all of the New York Times winning entries now.