EVIT’s 88.7 The Pulse Earns 27 National Award Nominations in John Drury High School Radio Awards
By 88.7 The Pulse Staff
EVIT’s award-winning 88.7 The Pulse is once again making national headlines! Students and alumni from the Radio/Audio Production program have been named finalists 27 times in 16 categories at the prestigious John Drury High School Radio Awards. From creative promos to powerful newscasts, their work proves that the next generation of broadcasters is already here and they’re making waves.
Students and staff from the East Valley Institute of Technology’s (EVIT) Radio/Audio Production program have earned 27 finalist nominations in the 2023-2024 John Drury National High School Radio Awards. The nominations were announced August 11, 2025, with winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony on October 25, 2025.
This year, EVIT students are competing in 16 different categories, showcasing the wide range of skills taught in the program — from on-air hosting to production, social media, and news coverage.
Standout Student Achievements
- Kairis Boyles (Current EVIT Senior) – Six nominations: Best Promo, Best PSA, Best Use of Video, Best Use of Social Media, Outstanding Student Leader, and Broadcaster of the Year. Students must submit entries in news, sports, and music show categories to qualify for Broadcaster of the Year.
- Matthew Cavazos (EVIT ’25 Graduate) – Seven nominations: Best Talk Show (Non-Sports), Best Sports Talk Show, Best Sportscast, Best Sports Play-by-Play, Best News Feature Story, Outstanding Student Leader, and Broadcaster of the Year.
Additional Finalists
- Lance Reece (Current 2nd-Year Student) – Best Use of Social Media (with Boyles, Kailey Figueroa, and Vanessa Martin) and Best Station Website (with Brandon Neyenhuis).
- Brandon Neyenhuis (EVIT ’25 Graduate) – Best Station Website and Outstanding Student Leader.
- Lenore Carey (Former Student) – Best Specialty Music Show and Best Public Affairs Program (with Julia Garner).
- Julia Garner (EVIT ’25 Graduate) – Best Public Affairs Program (with Carey).
- Mariana Perez Cervantes & Jackson Wolfmeyer (EVIT ’25 Graduates) – Best Talk Show (Non-Sports).
- Asa Lindsay (EVIT ’25 Alum) – Best Feature News Story (with Cavazos) and Outstanding Student Leader.
Faculty and Program Recognition
- Dave Juday – Nominated for Best Radio Station Advisor.
- 88.7 The Pulse – Finalist for Best High School Radio Station.
This is the seventh year EVIT students have competed in the John Drury Awards, a national competition presented by North Central College in Naperville, IL, and WONC-FM. In the past six years, the program has earned 17 national awards, including Best High School Radio Station in 2020-2021 and 2022-2023.
