This month marks the finale for KNOM’s 2016-2017 volunteer class: Lauren Frost, Tyler Stup, Karen Trop, and Davis Hovey, whose service has meant so much within KNOM’s studio walls and throughout the reaches of KNOM’s air signal.
Lauren has poured herself into her work this year: PSA and radio spot production, daily shifts on KNOM’s Morning Show, and the monthly storytelling program Story49. She’s also helped cover local news, reporting with aplomb on stories relating to regional marine traffic and other pertinent Arctic topics.
Tyler has brought consistent energy and devotion to his work as a KNOM reporter. He’s covered education and a variety of local issues, traveling frequently to outlying communities. Back in Nome, he’s anchored newscasts and weather forecasts, learning as much as possible about the Western Alaska way of life.
KNOM bids a bittersweet farewell to Lauren and Tyler this summer.
Karen, who’s produced original radio spots and deejayed five days a week, says she’s been moved by the rapport KNOM builds with listeners. When alone in the studio, it’s easy to “think no one is listening,” she says, but “then a loyal and lovely listener calls to say that she’s been teaching her grandchildren to bake cookies along to what you’ve been deejaying.” Karen adds, “radio is a companion; it is a friend; it is a constant hum within yours and countless others’ lives.”
Davis Hovey has worked with Tyler this year in the newsroom, covering local government and many other topics. During his KNOM tenure, he has “been overwhelmed,” he says, “by the generosity of people who live in Nome and the Bering Straits region… I’ve never experienced community anywhere else in the lower 48 like I have here.”
Lauren, Tyler, Karen, and Davis have all brought to their radio work a level of craftsmanship that could compete with a seasoned professional’s, with the perspective and heart of a master artist. It’s made a profound difference.
Karen has renewed her volunteer service term through 2018. Davis has joined KNOM’s permanent staff as news director.
You make possible their continued service. Thanks for your support!
Image at top: The 2016-2017 KNOM volunteers: Tyler Stup, Karen Trop, Davis Hovey, and Lauren Frost; photo: Margaret DeMaioribus, KNOM.
