EVIT’s 88.7 The Pulse Broadcaster’s Win Top National Awards at SkillsUSA
By: Dave Juday and Michael Mallace
June 27, 2025 — The talented and passionate broadcasters of 88.7 The Pulse, the award-winning student-run radio station at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), have once again earned top honors. Recent graduates of EVIT’s Radio/Audio Production program won gold and silver medals at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, June 24–27, competing against the best student broadcasters from across the country.
This journey began with regional competitions, progressed through state-level contests, and culminated in the national competition where these students proved themselves the best in the region, the state, and now the nation.
All winners are active members of 88.7 The Pulse, where their passion for broadcasting shines both on-air and behind the scenes.
Brandon Neyenhuis, a versatile broadcaster and former student Program Director for KVIT-FM, 88.7 The Pulse, teamed with Mariana Perez Cervantes to win the gold medal in the High School Audio Production competition. Brandon hosts The BassHuis, a weekly EDM show airing Saturdays at 8 PM, and is currently expanding his skills through a summer internship with the Arizona Media Association.
Mathew Cavazos, former student Sports Director at The Pulse, paired with Asa Lindsay to earn the silver medal in the College/Post-Secondary Audio Production category. Mathew hosts the Sports Triple Play show Mondays at 1 PM, provides live play-by-play commentary for high school baseball games, and co-hosts The Junk Drawer with Mariana and Brandon every Thursday at 1 PM. He will attend Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication this fall. This marks Mathew’s second consecutive national competition appearance after winning gold at the 2024 Arizona state conference.
Asa Lindsay is a multi-skilled broadcaster and producer, responsible for producing The Itechshow and its podcast, voicing many promotional and underwriting spots, and serving as one of the on-site engineers for live sports broadcasts. Asa’s technical expertise and behind the scenes presence are vital to the station’s success. Asa also earned 4th place in the Best Podcast category at the 2023-2024 John Drury National High School Radio Awards.
Mariana Perez Cervantes, a McClintock High School graduate and Obama Scholars program awardee, will study Popular Music at Arizona State University’s School of Music, Dance & Theatre this fall. Mariana co-hosts The Junk Drawer at The Pulse and continues to demonstrate her passion for music and broadcasting.
Former EVIT student Trent Williams won bronze in the College/Post-Secondary Audio Production division this year. Now a junior at Utah Valley University, Trent continues EVIT’s strong tradition of radio excellence, having previously won gold at the 2018 Arizona state competition.
88.7 The Pulse is one of the most powerful high school radio stations in the country. Broadcasting at 15,000 watts from EVIT’s Main Campus, the station reaches three quarters of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It provides an exceptional hands-on training lab for students enrolled in EVIT’s Radio/Audio Production program. The station is a two-time winner of the Best High School Radio Station award from the John Drury National High School Radio Awards.
Instructors Dave Juday and Noah Allen, along with General Manager Michael Mallace, work passionately with students to build skills, best practices, and a strong work ethic essential for success in the competitive radio, audio production and related media industries.
At 88.7 The Pulse, students gain real-world experience on-air and behind the scenes, preparing them to become versatile and successful broadcasting professionals.
