Sponsorship of “Newspaper in Education” (NIE) program sponsor 25 classrooms. Each student receives a newspaper each week of the 2007 academic school year. This

program is in partnership with the Kingsport Times-News. Approximately 250 teachers and 6800 students used the newspapers to enhance their teaching and learning on a weekly basis. They have used the news to promote basic skills in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Newspapers were also used with technology classes, journalism, foreign language, special education and adult learners. As a NIE Diamond sponsor WCYB News Director and WCYB Promotions Director work with the NIE coordinator to produce an educational supplement with a topic of their choice. The topic for the school year is “All About Our Weather”.

 

Participation in East Tennessee State University scholarship program designed to assist students interested in pursuing a career in broadcasting. The 2008 Robert H. Smith Sr. WCYB Scholarship winner for 2008-2009 are Justin Mason and Kevin Cullins. The Robert H. Smith Sr. WCYB-TV Scholarship is an endowment fund and one scholarship is awarded each year. This scholarship is designated for students majoring in communications. The University Scholarship Committee shall name the recipient from applications submitted. 

 

Participation in the College of Business and Technology Career Fair East Tennessee State University sponsored by the College of Business and Technology and the Office of Career Placement and Internship Services, held on Friday Feb. 29, 2008. Located at the ETSU Culp Center ballroom in Johnson City TN. WCYB/WEMT/CW4 was a sponsor of the event. WCYB ran a notice of the event on the Community Calendar spot that airs prior to the event. WCYB personnel (Tony Venable/Director of Promotions & Production, Richard Greene) manned a booth at the event. Recent graduates are notified and encouraged to attend the event. This provides an opportunity for the students/graduates to gain career information and meet prospective employers. The career fair also attracts graduate students from other colleges and universities. This provided an opportunity to meet with students and search for potential employees.

 

Participation in Career Fair 2008- Thursday April 17, 2008-Holiday Inn, Bristol VA. Allows participating employers to meet students and graduates from colleges located in NC, VA, WV & TN. WCYB (T. Venable/Director of Production & Promotions) serves on the board and was involved in the planning of the event. WCYB produced a: 30 promo spot that aired 2 weeks prior to the event. This spot aired on WCYB & WEMT & CW4. WCYB/WEMT/CW4 had a booth at the event which was manned by station personnel (S.Hawkins/Director of News, T.Venable/Director of Production & Promotions, G.Zikan, A.Carter, R. Pepin, M.Lynch, T.Taylor, P.Johnson, D.Chaulk/ Asst Chief Engineer, J.Bowman/National Sales Manager, D.Howard/Local Sales Manager, C.Tipton, K.Montour/VP of News Bonten Media, D.Ward/SVP of Programming & Marketing Bonten Media). Other sponsors include Bluefield State College, Carson-Newman College, Concord University, ETSU, Emory & Henry College, King College, Appalachian School of Law, Milligan College, NESTC, Old Dominion University Abingdon, Radford Univ, SWVCC, Tusculum College, UVA-Wise, VHCC, and Wytheville Community College. This provided an opportunity to meet with students from local colleges and universities and search for potential employees.

 

Participation in VAB Summer Internship Program- 2007/2008 Summer Intern: Kendall Atkins, News and Greta Compton, Production; this program provides hands-on training opportunity for college communications students to acquire skills needed for broadcast employment. Communications students apply to the VAB and are selected by the Internship Program Committee. The intern is interviewed by the station in a similar fashion to any other prospective employee and upon hiring is treated as an employee.

 

Current interns are Greg Brobeck, LeAnne Mahoy and Charlie Hall in the news/sports department.  This is a hands-on training opportunity for college communications students to acquire skills needed for broadcast employment. Communications students apply through their department head for two internships in the WCYB Newsroom and in the WCYB Production department. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a college program that leads to a degree in Broadcast Communications and they must be able to gain school credit for the internship. Prospective interns are interviewed by the station and are chosen in a similar fashion to any other prospective employee, and upon hiring, are treated as employees. Ongoing internships pay minimum wage for approximately 20 hours per week.

 

School Visits- D.Dierks (Chief meteorologist): visits to elementary and middle schools during 2007-2008 included schools located throughout the viewing area: Watauga Elementary, Rhea Elementary, Brookside Elementary, Kingsport Head Start, Rogersville City School, Mt Carmel Elementary, Abingdon Elementary, Andrew Johnson Elementary, St. Anne School, Washington Elementary, J W Adams School. Depending on the age of the group, Mr. Dierks may read a story, show a video tape, discuss graphics used in television weather reporting, and does weather experiment. Depending on the age of the group, he may discuss a career in television broadcasting as a meteorologist.

Anchors community outreach-
Steve Hawkins/Director of News-Speaker: at Abingdon Kiwanis Club, BMS Rotary Club, Rhythm & Roots sponsor reception, Community panel Barter Theatre, Va Middle School Commonwealth Scholars, Bristol Optimist Club, Farm and Funtime Alley naming downtown Bristol, Emory & Henry College Communications class, Emory & Henry College panel, Media panel Bristol Public Library, Clinch High School graduation. 
Emcee: Music in the Castle high school band competition, Bristol Christmas Tree lighting, Bristol Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, Tennessee High School regional Color Guard/Indoor Drumline competition, Bristol Mayors Awards for Community Service, Tennessee High School Band Concert at the Paramount, Read Across America Avoca Elementary, Career Fair Nat’l Guard Amory Rogersville, ETSU Broadcasting Dept. picnic, South Holston Little League season throw first pitch, Lunch with Congressman Rick Boucher and Tri-Cities media. Attend 8 travel shows (Bristol-Johnson City-Kingsport) with viewers interested in Alaska trip.

Johnny Wood- Emcee Heart Association fundraiser. Host “Johnny’s Pals” at BMS race.
Dave Dierks-Emcee Southwest Virginia Special Olympics, Altzheimers Memory Walk Bristol. Host visits to studio from Boy Scouts.
Tarah Taylor- Emcee Dawn of Hope fundraiser Johnson City. Speaker at Emory & Henry College for seniors in the Mass Communications Dept.
Ann Carter-featured cover story in Johnson City Press’ HER magazine.
Garick Zikan- Central Heights Elementary.
Paul Johnson- Juvenile Diabetes Research Walk fundraiser, ETSU Broadcasting Dept. picnic. Host Tri-Cities Idol at the Paramount Bristol.
Rebecca Pepin- “Rebecca Pepin Day” in Bristol VA. Host Tri-Cities Idol at the Paramount Bristol.
WCYB Night at Speedway in Lights-Bristol Chapter Speedway Children’s Charities-
Participate in reading holiday story to children: Steve Hawkins/Director of News, Paul Johnson, Garick Zikan, Ann Carter, Rebecca Pepin, Dave Dierks, Tarah Taylor, Marcus Lynch, Justin Cavey, Johnny Wood.