A&M-Commerce Student Wins Voice Your Freedom Award

Texas A&M University-Commerce student Taylor Mefford, a radio and television major, was recently named the first place winner of the radio portion of the Freedom of Speech Public Service Announcement Contest.

“It’s important that our students work at the highest level of their ability because that makes them competitive as they start their career. For Taylor to receive this recognition competing against students from all universities across the U.S. is a testament to his elite status among his peers. It’s also a nice bonus that he got a three thousand dollar scholarship,” said RTV professor  Tony DeMars.

The contest, held by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), announced the winners of the 30-second radio and television PSAs addressing “What Freedom of Speech means to me,” on Sept. 17.

“A&M-Commerce has a small RTV program, but it has some great resources at its disposal, especially with radio,” Mefford said.

The contest, for college communication students, accepted entries for both radio and television work and submissions were judged on originality, technical skills and “overall impact.” The first place winner in each category received a $3,000 scholarship and will be recognized in an event held during Free Speech Week, Oct. 19-25.

The winning Freedom of Speech PSAs can be downloaded and viewed from www.nabspotcenter.org.