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Mercer Island High School’s Media Technology and Filmmaking Class announced today that three student works have been named Best Student Works in the record breaking 46th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies. This season, the Telly Awards chose to celebrate the creativity that emerges when Stories Take Shape in bold and innovative ways.

This year’s winners include Pixar Animation Studios, Hearst Media, ESPN, LinkedIn, NATO, MTV Entertainment Studios, NASA, the LA Clippers (NBA), Sawhorse Productions, Telemundo and more.

Hannah Moeller received a Silver Award for her work titled, "The Third Option" which tells the story of a teen’s very difficult choice under even more difficult circumstances. This is Hannah's second Telly award.

Minh Luu received a Bronze Award for his work titled, "Leave No Trace" telling a story of betrayal, deceit, and murder.

Hadley Holtzclaw received a bronze award for her work titled “Dear Mom”, a story that pulls on the heartstrings in a story of sacrifice and adoption. This is Hadley's second Telly award.

"Each of these three students has brought a unique voice and vision to their work, crafting stories that are not only visually compelling but emotionally resonant. From innovative camera work to thoughtful narrative structure, their dedication to the craft is evident in every frame. Watching their growth as filmmakers and artists has been truly inspiring, and I’m excited to see where their creativity takes them next," says Emmy-nominated teacher, Michael Ketchum.

Committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity forward, this year’s new categories included topics within Film & Shorts, Outdoor & Adventure, and Brand Partnerships. These categories centered on stories and collaborations that are actively evolving within the video and television industry. With over 13,000 entries from across the globe and top video and television content producers. Winner’s were chosen by The Telly Awards Judging Council which includes Ben Wackett, Marketing Director, ENSO Sports & Entertainment Agency, Brian Toombs, Head of Roku Brand Studio, Roku Brand Studio, Lucy Shen, Creator Marketing Manager, Patreon, Irantzu Diez-Gamboa, CEO North America, MediaPro, Rosalind Pressman, VP Brand Marketing, Pluto TV, Adam Faze, Executive Producer, Gymnasium, James Young, EVP, Head of Creative Innovation, BBDO New York, Sarah Minnie, Head of Artist Development and Production, Open Television, Nicole Lederman, Executive Producer, The Martin Agency, and Gregg Stouffer, Lead Editor, Pickleball TV.

Mercer Island High School’s student-run media programs, KMIH 88.9 The Bridge and MIHS.TV, have been recognized as some of the best in the nation, earning multiple accolades at the 2025 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Awards, which was held this past weekend at the Times Square Sheraton Hotel in New York. The honors highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of MIHS students and faculty advisors in both radio and video broadcasting.

MIHS.TV received national recognition with Michael Ketchum honored as Best Video Faculty Advisor for his leadership in the school’s media technology and filmmaking program as well as Micah Drummond bringing home best comedy for his series entitled, "Micah's Minute."

KMIH 88.9 The Bridge was awarded the Golden Microphone for being America’s top high school radio station for 2025, with faculty advisors Joe Bryant and Natalie Woods awarded Best Radio Faculty Advisor(s) for their guidance and commitment to fostering student excellence in broadcasting.

KMIH 88.9 The Bridge and MIHS.TV’s dedication to high-quality content was further acknowledged with numerous awards across multiple categories:

● Best Campus/Community News – Chloe Yang’s compelling interview with Superintendent Fred Rundle about the District’s new phone free policy.

● Best Public Affairs Program – Jewish students Joe Shleifer, Sam Paddor, and Chase Koehler provided insightful coverage on the first anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel.

● Best Sports Play-by-Play (Football) – Maggie Blohm & Max Pelter delivered outstanding live sports coverage.

● Best Sports Play-by-Play (Volleyball) – Joe Shleifer, Maggie Gibson, Samantha Back & Willa Shopay showcased their talent in volleyball broadcasting.

● Best Sports Interview – Hadley Holtzclaw produced an engaging interview about Volleyball Senior Night.

● Best Podcast – Sam Paddor for his in-depth coverage of the history of protest music in Singing Songs and Carrying Signs.

● Best Celebrity Interview – Chloe Yang for her conversation with Garden Guru Cisco Morris.

● Best Website – Sophia Loiselle was recognized for her exceptional work on the 889TheBridge.org website.

MIHS.TV and KMIH 88.9 The Bridge continue to set the standard for student-led media by providing engaging, professional-quality content to the Mercer Island community and beyond. Both platforms can be found online at MIHS.tv and KMIH.org.

Mercer Island High School is pleased to announce 125 MIHS DECA students will be heading to the Washington State DECA Championship February 27 through March 1 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. This is the highest number of MIHS DECA students that have ever qualified for the State Tournament. MIHS competes in DECA Area 3, which is one of the most competitive in the nation with several schools that are powerhouses in the DECA world.

"We are so proud of our Mercer Island High School students and their results from this event," said MIHS DECA co-advisor, Jen McLellan. "Even more so than our incredible results of our state-bound students, is the impact and results of ALL our students. Watching a student learn and gain confidence to go in front of DECA judges and pitch a proposal and grow from that experience is profound. We are so proud of ALL our DECA students at MIHS and how they all showed up and competed with poise, intellect, and courage."

The Mercer Island High School Drama department is excited to announce eight students have been recognized as a State Honoree in the Washington State Thespian Thespy Awards.

The eight MIHS Drama students recognized are:

• Excellent in Playwriting: Meredith Weaver and Tiger Yang
• Excellent in Musical Duet: Jose Igtiben and Marco McGuire
• Excellent in Musical Solo: Marco McGuire
• Excellent in Acting Duo Scene: Everett Guillemette and Jose Igtiben
• Excellent in Monologues: Wilder Giannini-Upton, Ruball Dhillon, Everett Guillemette, and Jose Igtiben
• Excellent in Theatre Marketing: Eva Peng

Jose Igtiben, Marco McGuire, and Everett Guillemette received an excellent in every category they competed in. MIHS Drama students competed in a number of categories, with some students competing in three categories.

Mercer Island High School Broadcast Media students have been nominated for more than 30 national awards by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS). The nominated include both MIHS.TV and KMIH 88.9 The Bridge students in categories including but not excluded to Best TV Newscast, Best TV Sports Report, Best Video Comedy Program, Best High School Radio Program, Best Radio Talk Program, and more totalling 30 nominations! Additionally, the three faculty advisors, Michael Ketchum, Joe Bryant, and Natalie Woods, are nominated for best faculty advisors in their categories. IBS is one of the top organizations in the country that supports student media and ith their nominations, the TV and Radio programs at MIHS have proven once again that the creative and professional work they do is among the nation’s best by high school students.

John Edmund Stafford, born June 3, 1962 in Bellevue, Washington, passed away this past weekend. Mr. Stafford was an extraordinary teacher who brought his classes in macroeconomics, social studies, human geography, and world climate change to life. His ability to connect with students and inspire curiosity in his teaching won him the respect of all who came in contact with him. He spoke at the 2024 graduation at the students' request and was awarded 2023 PTSA Teacher of the year for those traits and many others.

Mr. Stafford's influence extends far beyond his current students; his lessons and mentorship shaped the lives of countless graduates who now carry his passion for learning into their own endeavors. His former students often returned to share stories of how his classes prepared them for life and inspired them to think critically about the world.

Mr. Stafford, you were loved and will be sorely missed.

The MIHS Girls Swim/Dive team captured their third consecutive 3A State Championship Saturday with a 381-point total and Alexa McDevitt won the 200 free (1:46.71), 500 free (4:52.91), and swam on the triumphant 200 free relay (1:35.24) on 16 November at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Islander swimmers set seven school records, including McDevitt in the 200 free (also a 3A state meet record) and 500 free and the 200 free relay, which consisted of McDevitt, Tatum Enge, Hope Enge and Meg Dahlin. All three state title times are Automatic High School All-American marks.

Also setting school records were the 200 medley relay (Clare Watson, Gracyn Kehoe, Tatum Enge and Hope Enge) with a third-place time of 1:42.97; Watson in the 100 fly with a second-place time of 52.90; Watson in the 100 back with a third-place time of 54.99; and the 400 free relay (McDevitt, Dahlin, Kehoe and Watson) with a second-place time of 3:22.55.

Additional Automatic High School All-American times were registered by the 200 medley and 400 free relays, Watson in the 100 fly and Kehoe in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.30, second place) and 200 individual medley (2:01.38, third place).

McDevitt, who was the entire meet’s only double-event winner, is proud of her team and its efforts all season.

Mercer Island High School radio station 88.9 KMIH The Bridge was named the nation’s best high school radio station on November 2 at the annual John Drury High School Radio Awards hosted by WONC-FM at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

In addition to best station, KMIH.org was also named the Top High School Radio Website and senior Chloe Yang was honored as the country's Top Student Podcaster for her series Emerald City Echoes. Other KMIH broadcasters recognized were Sophia Loiselle and Kate Lenington who placed as runners up for Best Promo. Losielle also placed second for Best Public Affairs Show and the KMIH social media team earned second for the 88.9 The Bridge Instagram.

Mercer Island High School senior cross country runner Owen Powell won the Doug Speck Sweepstakes race at the Woodbridge Cross County Classic at Great Park in Irvine, California, on Saturday with a national record breaking time. Powell was neck-and-neck with Josiah Tostenson from Crater, Oregon as they came to the finish line. Powell pulled out the win with a time of 13:30.3 to Tostenson’s 13:30.5, which are the two fastest times ever recorded on a 3-mile high school cross country course.

Sophia Rodriguez, a sophomore at MIHS, and Victoria Rodriguez, a senior at MIHS, both competed at the Woodbridge Classic in the Bob Day Sweepstakes race. Sophia finished in seventh with a time of 15:47.5 and Victoria finished tenth with a time of 16:08.6.

For the second consecutive year Sam was named a winner in Annual New York Times Student Podcast Contest, now in its seventh year. In this year's entry Sam took a deep dive into the history of protest songs with a podcast titled "Singing Songs and Carrying Signs: How Protest Songs Changed America."

In addition to Sam’s winning entry three other current or former MIHS students received recognition in the annual competition, which drew more than 1,100 entries this year. Class of 2024 graduates Grace Go and Luke Gollin were named runners up for their podcast “A Roof For Everyone” which explored solutions to Seattle’s widespread homelessness.

MIHS junior Alanna Larson was also named a runner up for her entry “Music: A Bridge From Loneliness to Connection” which is an exploration of loneliness, music, and social bonding using her experiences in the MIHS high school band community.

Mercer Island High School boys basketball coach Gavin Cree was selected as the Washington State John Wooden Award winner by the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (WIBCA) at their Hall of Fame Banquet on Wednesday, July 17 at the Cowlitz County Event Center in Longview.

"It is a great honor and very humbling to receive this award from WIBCA,” said Cree. “To me, this is a community award. The student-athletes, assistant coaches, families, administrators have all played a major role in building a program that is a true brotherhood across generations."

To foster a better learning environment, desiring and promoting healthy social and emotional development, Mercer Island High School and Islander Middle School will restrict access to personal cell phones and smart watches during the school day, from "bell-to-bell," in 2024-25. Using secure YONDR Pouches, we will be creating distraction-free campuses to increase engagement and learning.