College of the Desert's radio station continues streak of excellence in broadcasting
College of the Desert is not exempt from the excitement of awards season. Its student radio station, COD Roadrunner Radio, was recently recognized with four national broadcasting nominations from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. The winners will be announced in New York City in March.
Also in this week's education news roundup: Elementary and middle school students are encouraged to submit their artwork — spanning from visual art and film to theater and dance — to a virtual contest organized by the Riverside County Office of Education. Graduating high school seniors from the Class of 2024 are invited to apply to the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival's scholarship program, where 10 students will have the chance to earn $2,000 for college.
Did we miss a noteworthy education story? Raise your hand and send it my way: jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
COD radio station nominated for four national awards
College of the Desert's radio station, Roadrunner Radio, formerly known as KCOD, continues its streak of excellence in broadcasting as a finalist in four categories for the 84th annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Media Awards. The categories COD Roadrunner Radio was nominated for include:
Best Radio Drama: Kevin Mann
Best Show Promo: Martha Hackett
Best Liner/Sweeper: Matheus Garone
Best Community Radio College Station: COD Roadrunner Radio
"It's very exciting," said Kevin Mann, whose radio drama, "Grammy Maisie's Halloween Horror Hootenanny," co-written with Katrina Dixon, was among the nominations. "It's the first time we had ever done a radio play, so to be nominated for something that was the first time ... that was trial and error and took forever to edit, I'm very happy."
Mann, now a producer at KMIR, recommends the media program to anyone who is curious about radio and podcasting. "It's sort of a place where you don't have to worry about failing," he said, adding that the highly energetic environment was full of support from the staff and instructor, Scott Colwell.
Established in 1940, IBS recognizes exceptional programming from college and university radio stations across the country. The winners will be announced on Saturday, March 2 at the 84th annual conference in New York City.
For more information: Tune in at codroadrunnerradio.com
County seeks student artworks for virtual competition
When the COVID-19 pandemic prompted schools to shut down in 2020, Riverside County Office of Education organized a virtual competition for students to connect online and channel their creative energy. The initiative — known as Art Connects — led to more than 1,300 original submissions. The virtual student arts competition returns this year: elementary and middle school students are encouraged to submit to the following categories:
Visual art: Submission window is now open through Monday, Jan. 22 by 5 p.m.
Dance: Submissions begin on Monday, Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.
Theater: Submissions begin on Monday, March 11 at 8 a.m.
Film: Submissions begin on Monday, April 8 at 8 a.m.
Plaques will be presented to the first, second and third place winners and their exceptional work will be showcased on RCOE's website. Additionally, certificates will be awarded to acknowledge several 'honorable mention' submissions.
For more information: Visit rcoe.us/art-connects
Scholarship Spotlight: Date Festival Scholarship Program open through Jan. 22
As the 76th annual Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival approaches the Coachella Valley, a local tradition also takes center stage: a scholarship opportunity for graduating high school seniors.
Through the contributions of Butler Amusements and Pickering Events, 10 students from the Class of 2024 will receive $2,000 scholarships to pay for college. Last year, 14 seniors from high schools across the three public K-12 school districts in the Coachella Valley were among the scholarship recipients.
Interested candidates must submit their applications by Monday, Jan. 22. To apply, students must have a 3.0 unweighted grade point average and submit a 500-word essay on the importance of community.
For more information: Visit datefest.org/p/about/scholarships2024
Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Award season reaches COD: Radio station earns national recognition
