EYE ON EVIT – Meet the SkillsUSA Champions in Radio and Audio Excellence
By: 88.7 The Pulse Staff
EVIT Radio/Audio Production students have earned national recognition at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, demonstrating the power and value of hands-on career and technical education.
National Champions Rise from EVIT’s Radio/Audio Program
Five students from the East Valley Institute of Technology’s Radio/Audio Production program achieved top honors at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta. Competing against the best CTE students in the country, EVIT’s team brought home Gold and Silver medals in Audio/Radio Production.
In a special edition of EYE on EVIT, 88.7 The Pulse General Manager Michael Mallace interviewed student champions Matthew Cavazos, ASA Lindsay, Mariana Perez Cervantes, Jackson Wolfmeyer, and Brandon Neyenhuis. They shared how EVIT shaped their paths, what it took to succeed at nationals, and what the experience meant to them.
Proving Their Power on the National Stage
The broadcasters of 88.7 The Pulse, EVIT’s award-winning student-run radio station, once again demonstrated their talent at the national level. Their achievements reflect the strength of EVIT’s project-based learning model and the dedication of its students and educators.
This journey started with local and state competitions and culminated in a national showdown where the students stood out among America’s top young media professionals.
Award Winning SkillsUSA Productions:
Silver: ASA and Matthew
Gold: Mariana and Brandon
Student Spotlight: Meet the Team Behind the Medals
Brandon Neyenhuis, a former student Program Director for 88.7 The Pulse, partnered with Mariana Perez Cervantes to win Gold in High School Audio Production. Brandon also hosts The Bass Huis, an EDM show airing Saturdays at 8 PM, and is currently interning with 88.7 The Pulse through a grant from the Arizona Media Association.
Matthew Cavazos, former Sports Director at The Pulse, teamed up with ASA Lindsay to win Silver in College/Post-Secondary Audio Production. Matthew hosts Sports Triple Play on Mondays at 1 PM, provides play-by-play for high school games, and co-hosts The Junk Drawer. He will begin studies this fall at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication.
ASA Lindsay is a skilled behind-the-scenes producer at The Pulse. ASA produces The Itechshow and its podcast, engineers live sports broadcasts, voices promotional content, and placed 4th nationally in the 2023–2024 John Drury Awards for Best Podcast.
Mariana Perez Cervantes began as a sports broadcast engineer and rose to become co-host of The Junk Drawer. Her winning partnership with Brandon earned her national gold—a goal she had set for herself a year earlier.
Jackson Wolfmeyer helped create The Junk Drawer and played a key role during regionals and state, helping the team qualify for nationals. He plans to pursue music production professionally.
The collaboration and mentorship within the group showcase the strength of EVIT’s culture and community.
Preparation and Passion Pay Off
The students credited instructors Dave Juday and Noah Allen for helping them build the technical and creative skills that led to their success.
“Joining the program gave me confidence and skills I never thought I’d have,” said Mariana Perez Cervantes. “I went from producing sports broadcasts to winning at the national level.”
EVIT’s training approach emphasizes real-world experience, tight deadlines, teamwork, and high production standards, all essential for thriving in today’s media landscape.
Advice to Future Students
“Say yes. Try everything. Be a sponge,” said ASA Lindsay. “You never know what you’ll fall in love with unless you step out of your comfort zone.”
“Come in with an open mind,” added Matthew Cavazos. “I started focused on music production but discovered a love for broadcasting I didn’t expect.”
Beyond the Competition
The group also shared favorite memories from Atlanta: late-night dinners, visiting the aquarium, and connecting with mentors and peers. For them, the trip was more than a competition, it was a celebration of how far they’ve come and the bonds they built along the way. Most importantly, they had FUN and will remember this their entire life!
🎧 Listen and Learn More
This story is based on an interview conducted by Michael Mallace with Matthew Cavazos, ASA Lindsay, Mariana Perez Cervantes, Jackson Wolfmeyer, and Brandon Neyenhuis for EYE on EVIT on 88.7 The Pulse.
👉 Listen to the full interview here.
🕒 Tune in to EYE on EVIT Sunday mornings at 7 a.m. MST on 88.7 FM The Pulse, stream live at 887thepulse.com, or listen on demand through the 88.7 The Pulse AZ app.
