News

Owen Powell named Gatorade Washington Boys Track & Field Player of the Year

In its 39th year of honoring the nation’s most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Owen Powell of Mercer Island High School is the 2023-24 Gatorade Washington Boys Track & Field Player of the Year. Powell is the first Gatorade Washington Boys Track & Field Player of the Year to be chosen from Mercer Island High School.

The award, which celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community, distinguishes Powell as Washington’s best high school boys track & field player. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an all-star group of alumni that includes Alan Webb (2000-01, South Lakes High School, VA.), Kerron Clement (2002-03, Laporte High School, TX) and Grant Fisher (2014-15 & 2013-14, Grand Blanc High School, MI).

Read More HERE.

MIHS.TV wins prestigious awards in Record-setting 45th Annual Telly Awards

Mercer Island High School announced today that the following works submitted by students in the Media Technology and Filmmaking class were awarded the following awards and recognition in the record breaking 45 th Annual Telly Awards:

• (dis) continued, a short film by Hadley Holtzclaw, GOLD TELLY WINNER
• Stage Three: White Flora, a short film by Hannah Moeller, GOLD TELLY WINNER
• The Fine Art of Never Getting Started, a short film by Maxwell Viafore, BRONZE TELLY WINNER
• The Hike, a short film by Wesley Stokke, BRONZE TELLY WINNER

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 year’s winners include Adobe, Calvin Klein, ESPN, LinkedIn, Mother Jones, MTV Entertainment Studios, NASA, the LA Clippers (NBA). PlayStation Studios, Sawhorse Productions, TelevisaUnivison and more.

“This is the second year for the Media Technology and Filmmaking course at Mercer Island High School and it's a great example of what happens when we unleash the skills and the imagination of America’s young people,” says instructor Michael Ketchum. “When we provide these young adults with the best opportunities and technology and resources, there’s no telling what they’ll create -- now and the years ahead. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished and their ability to tell their stories in ways that reach such an incredible audience. That’s the power of what is being done here at MIHS. Experiences like these are about helping our youth to connect in new and meaningful ways, whether it’s somebody as close as their parents, or somebody on an iPad halfway around the world who may share more in common with them than they might think. Congratulations!”

All award-winning films can be viewed HERE.

MIHS.TV wins big in annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Annual Conference

In the 2024 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards, the MIHS.TV staff and "The Current" took home Best Newscast honors from entries across the nation. Additionally, their instructor / advisor, Mr. Ketchum took home top advisor in the country for high school television media programs.

"I am very proud of the media students and how much they've accomplished in such a short time. All while having an incredibly fun time while we do it!" said Mr. Ketchum.

Additionally, numerous KMIH students also garnered awards and they can be viewed at KHIM 88.9 THE BRIDGE.

Celebrating Black History Month

While we acknowledge Black History Month every February, the histories, futures, stories, and voices of Black people should be heard, honored, and uplifted every day. It is imperative that we acknowledge the importance, relevance, and origins of Black History Month. In 1926, Carter D. Woodson and the ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History) launched "Negro History Week" to promote the studying of African American history as a discipline and to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans.

As we celebrate this month, it's important that we consider the full story. That means not only focusing on the beautiful oratory of Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech, but exploring the equally powerful, radical statements from Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton, and Fannie Lou Hamer, and in doing so, discover a more complete narrative.

The knowledge of Black History is a big step in helping us more fully appreciate the part that Black People have played and are still playing in the development of the world around us. One antidote to ignorance is knowledge and the accompanying humility to concede we might have been misinformed. Although we've made progress, research from the Southern Poverty Law Center and other sources still shows that we are far from our goal of honoring the multiple voices in our classrooms and in challenging dominant narratives.

Recently, Kelly John-Lewis emphasized that while it's important to acknowledge the suffering and the trauma, it's just as crucial that we also recognize the steps we've taken forward. Slavery, Jim Crow, systematic oppression, and racism are all issues that need to be addressed and it is important to engage students critically about these topics. But the Black Experience is much more than just that narrative. Black History Month should also be a celebration of art, culture, and innovation. It's imperative that while we commemorate the struggle, we also celebrate the triumphs.

Consider these questions in the months ahead. What can you do to contribute to breaking racial stereotypes? What biases do you carry about Black history? What did your upbringing and education teach you? Considering these questions will help bring the importance of Black History Month into focus and an understanding of what it is: A celebration, a stinging indictment, and a call to action all in one.

Since we’ve set aside the month for a noble purpose, let’s actually elevate what we do, individually and collectively, to live up to that purpose. Happy Black History Month.

MIHS Drama students named national qualifiers and state honorees by International Thespian Thespy Awards

The Mercer Island High School Drama department is pleased to announce 12 students have been recognized as either a National Qualifier or State Honoree in the Washington State Thespian Thespy Awards.

“I am so proud of the 16 students who participated in this year’s NW Regionals Thespy event,” said MIHS Drama Teacher Daniela Melgar. “Some of our students competed in three categories! All of the students chose their pieces, memorized, and rehearsed on their own time. They showed up bright and early on Saturday morning and competed against a number of other Drama students from around the region.”

“Students put their hearts into their presentations, and it was an honor to share the day with them. Beyond their own work, they had the opportunity to watch other performances and meet fellow Drama and Theatre Tech lovers,” continued Melgar.

National Qualifier (superior scores)

• Monologues - Kyle Gerstel
• Solo musical - Annabel Rimmer

State Honoree (excellent scores)

• Monologues - Alec Martin, Greg Chvany, Annabel Rimmer, Izzy Ferrari, Macie Nordberg, Wilder Giannini-Upton, Katie McGuire, Jada Jorgensen
• Playwriting - Katie McGuire, Macie Nordberg, Meredith Weaver
• Film - Giovee Roque
• Solo musical - Kyle Gerstel
• Duet musical - Kyle Gerstel and Annabel Rimmer, Macie Nordberg and Katie McGuire
• Stage Management - Mischa Gregory

All of the state honorees will be acknowledged at the WA State Thespian Festival in March 2024. Both Kyle Gerstel and Annabel Rimmer will be invited to the final round of adjudication for the International Thespian Festival, which takes place from May 20, 2024 to June 15, 2024. For more information on the International Thespian Thespy Awards check out the 2024 Thespy Program.

The Mercer Island High School Creative Arts Magazine ‘Pegasus’ has achieved a Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) first class award from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

For more information about the REALM Program, please visit: https://ncte.org/awards/program-to-recognize-in-student-literary-magazines/" target="_blank">

IBS Finalist Nominations Announced

Mercer Island, WA, January 2, 2024 - Mercer Island High School Broadcast Media students have been nominated for nearly 30 national honors by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. IBS is one of the top organizations in the country that supports student media and is home to the prestigious Golden Microphone Awards. With their nominations, the radio and TV broadcasters/filmmakers at MIHS have proven once again that the creative and professional work they do on the airwaves at KMIH 889 The Bridge and MIHS-TV is among the nation’s best by high school students.

This year’s competition resulted in 29 nominations for KMIH 889 The Bridge and 4 for MIHS-TV. Both Michael and Natalie are also nominated for Best Faculty Advisors in their respective categories . Some of the outstanding work that is being recognized includes KMIH’s coverage of Mercer Island political issues, local news events, sports broadcasting, PSA's from a MIYFS mental health campaign and interviews from the radio station's Seafair coverage. The high school's weekly student news program, "The Current" is also up for awards with nominations for best comedy program, best newscast, and best high school TV station. MIHS.TV advisor, Michael Ketchum, is thrilled with the growing presence that television is adding to the Mercer Island High School media broadcast scene.

"We compete for these awards with schools that have much larger enrollment numbers and more powerful transmitters but I don't think any of them can equal our KMIH staff when it comes to engagement and creativity! It's a pleasure to mentor so many talented and dedicated students". ~ Joe Bryant

MIHS entered the television category for the first time this year, following the creation of the Media Technology program run by veteran video production professional and teacher, Michael Ketchum.

"Mercer Island High School has invested in the technology and instructional staff to support not just college preparation but more career-minded education as well, including culinary, robotics, radio, horticulture, and media technology to name a few. This includes the sophisticated on-campus studios that incorporate real-world, industry-standard media production equipment. I've had the pleasure to harness the facility and equipment to train students on how to deliver entertaining and informative newscasts from start to finish, with students serving as the production crew, news anchor team, director/technical director and more. In addition to learning the tools and roles of the trade, they're taught how to write story scripts; achieve the right voice quality, diction and timing; performance and pacing techniques; and good old-fashioned storytelling. This is an incredible group of broadcasters and filmmakers and I couldn't be more proud of the success they achieve, now and in the future."

Mercer Island High School broadcast and media students will travel to New York City at the end of February to attend the IBS Media Awards and Conference. There they will have the opportunity to meet other high school broadcasters, talk to students and professors from some of the nation’s top universities and learn about the craft of broadcasting from professionals in the media industry.

MIHS Broadcast Media Teacher Joe Bryant Attends Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony For The Bob Rivers Show

Bryant joined the MIHS in 2015 after a 25 year radio career beginning as the producer and eventually co-hosting The Bob Rivers Show with Bob, Spike and Joe on Seattle radio stations KISW, KZOK and KJR-FM. The popular show was a one of a kind improv talk show–irreverent yet family friendly, with sharp writing, a smart cast, and their popular Twisted Tunes, song parodies aired internationally and distributed on Atlantic Records.

"Bob Rivers is now officially a Radio icon and inductee into the Radio Hall of Fame! I’m very proud of the work we did together for 25 years and feel super privileged to be part of the Bob Rivers Show story," said Bryant from New York.

MIHS to participate in the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program

The Mercer Island School District announced today that Mercer Island High School (MIHS) will participate in the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP) starting this school year. The participation of MIHS in WAGAP creates a partnership with six Washington State public colleges and universities that will automatically admit Mercer Island students who graduate with a 3.0 grade-point average or higher and complete ALL of Washington’s College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs).

The six colleges and universities are:

• Central Washington University
• Eastern Washington University
• The Evergreen State College
• University of Washington Tacoma
• Washington State University
• Western Washington University

WAGAP is focused on students in the 11th and 12th grades. Through data sharing partnerships with Washington school districts and schools, the participating institutions engage with high school juniors to ready them for college and familiarize them with college admissions and high school seniors to apply through guaranteed admissions or, if not eligible, through the general admissions process.

Visit the WAGAP FAQ to learn more about the program or visit the WAGAP Facebook page or WAGAP Instagram Page.

The Flag Dudes of 2023/24!

Meet your stronger, better, faster Flag Dudes of 2023-24 in this delightful, self-produced adventure in the Pacific Northwest!