HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington North High School sophomore Luke Szelis earned honorable mention at the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters annual spring conference and competition on Monday.
Szelis, a second-year broadcaster on the school’s radio station, WVSH 91.9 FM, was recognized in the category of Football Play-By-Play.
Participants in the competition category submit a 5-minute, unedited clip from a live broadcast from the prior season. Szelis’s submission, which included broadcast partner sophomore Braxton Okuly, came from the broadcast of the Vikings’ sectional championship game at Lebanon High School and was Szelis and Okuly’s call of the Vikes’ game-winning drive.
HNHS radio/TV teacher and WVSH station manager Nick Altman said it was likely Szelis’s ability to convey the excitement of the moment while maintaining composure that likely set the sophomore apart from other entrants.
“Luke and Braxton work together well on the air, and I really saw a greater level of confidence this season versus their freshman year, especially in Luke,” Altman said. ”The football team’s success added to everyone’s enthusiasm around the program, even in the press box.”
Szelis was a late addition to the WVSH broadcast team as a freshman, but Altman says he’s become a crucial member in the fall sports season.
“I thought I had my broadcasters lined up for the 2023 season, but some plans didn’t work out, so I was scrambling for a couple students,” Altman said. “Luke was a quiet freshman in my Principles of Broadcasting course, and he volunteered and said that he had a friend that he’d be comfortable working with, so I gave him and Braxton a chance. From their first game in 2023 through last season, they’ve grown and improved immensely as broadcasters and communicators.”
“Viking Radio” WVSH 91.9 FM, located in Room 104 at Huntington North High School, 450 MacGahan St. in Huntington, Ind., is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. WVSH broadcasts a variety of music, and student-broadcasters provide live coverage of HNHS football, boys and girls basketball, and baseball games throughout the school year.
The Indiana Association of School Broadcasters is an organization consisting of and supporting Indiana high schools and colleges to promote professional excellence and student recognition in the area of media education. IASB membership consists of more than 50 secondary schools and 15 post-secondary schools that offer academic, career technical education or extra-curricular programs related to electronic media.