Echo Spring 2024 - 17

" Our connection with the (Communication & Media Arts
Department) has been rewarding in many ways: seeing students
realize their gifting and passion for broadcasting and podcasting,
and giving them opportunities to shadow, intern and even join our
team at WJTL, " Leigh said. Because the LBC radio station is modeled
after the one at WJTL, Leigh also appreciates how these alumni
already know how to properly run and take care of the equipment
at The Junction Center.
More Than a Number
Sport Management Grad Creates Her
Own Web Show to Share Athletes' Stories
By Hannah Shane ('26)
Another WJTL on-air alumna host, Abi (Rockafellow '22) Horst,
shared how the campus radio studio played a significant role in
preparing her for a career in broadcasting. Her leadership as station
manager as an upperclassman encouraged Horst to pursue radio as
a career and set her up for a senior internship at WJTL.
" I love driving around and seeing WJTL and LBC bumper stickers
on people's cars, " Horst said. " It really speaks volumes to the impact
we have as a station (and) I just love the community that LBC
professors have made in the Lancaster area. "
Bortner also appreciates the WJTL-LBC connection, as her journey
to the radio station started in her basement.
" As a young girl, I was inspired by WJTL to host my own radio
show, " she remembered. " I spent hours on my own pretending
I was a radio DJ. I had the dream setup: a karaoke machine, CD
player and iPod speaker. "
As a student at LBC, Bortner hosted her own weekly show called
" Songs and Stories. " For her senior project, she developed the
Charge & Go Morning Show, an LBC Radio tradition that continues
to be hosted by student station managers. Through these
opportunities at LBC, Bortner's confidence grew as she learned to
manage her nerves and overcome the fear of being judged if she
made mistakes.
Ethan Scott ('24), who serves as the technical coordinator at The
Junction Center, agreed that his confidence in his future career
grew at LBC.
" The professors are definitely a big part of what gave me the
experience and confidence to actually be able to get out there and
accept these roles and do the small gigs that ended up leading to
a job offer, " he said, adding that his LBC opportunities helped him
grow in his interpersonal skills, as well as equipped him with the
technical knowledge needed for his work at The Junction Center.
The heart behind Christian music is to share the hope, love and
victory that can be found in Christ, and the impact it has on
listeners is a source of encouragement for the WJTL staff.
" It's very moving to know that every song that plays while I'm
working my shift could have such a big impact on somebody else
listening, even if I don't know them or even if I will never see them
in person, " Horst shared. " There's a real sense of community when it
comes to Christian music. I love the way that it brings us all tighter
together. "
These stories culminate into the impact that two like-minded
Christian organizations can have when they partner to serve the
Lancaster community.
" It's a one-of-a-kind, full circle story that I grew up listening to
WJTL, and now I work there, " Bortner said, " turning my childhood
dream into a reality because of how LBC prepared me for radio
broadcasting. I'm incredibly grateful. "
Add these two stations to your playlist at lbcradio.live and wjtl.com.
Kaylisa Montijo is a recent LBC Communication graduate who
served in leadership at LBC Radio.
A
laysha Iwais ('24) has a passion for empowering
athletes to be more than just a number on a jersey.
Her love for her fellow players led her to create a
sports web show called " The Vault, " where she
interviews athletes as they share their stories, and their
humanity, with viewers.
" Now more than
ever, athletes are
using social media as
a platform to speak
up about their own
personal struggles to
reveal they, too, are
imperfect humans, "
said Alaysha, a
Charger basketball
standout from
Florida.
This passion to share
athlete's stories was
kindled during her
freshman year.
" I was inspired by
three brothers who
were adopted from
Africa, " Alaysha said.
" One of them played
basketball here. I
always wondered if anybody knew where they came from
and what they had gone through to be here. So I decided to
start my YouTube channel to give athletes a platform to talk
about who they are, where they came from and what they've
gone through. "
As a Sport Management major, her drive and experience
helped her get a foot in the door for both internship and career
opportunities.
" It's opened doors, and it's
led me to meet people
who work for ESPN and
the NFL, " Alaysha shared.
" They have given me good
advice and are mentoring
me in this field. I am so
blessed by them and want
to continue on this path
where the Lord has me. "
Hannah Shane is a
Communication major,
member of the Student
Government Association and an intern with the LBC Marketing
Department.
ECHO 17
http://www.wjtl.com
Echo Spring 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2024
