NESCom graduates fare well at award ceremony

BANGOR – Several graduates of the New England School of Communications have established themselves as “personalities” in the state’s radio world – if the presentation of awards at the annual Maine Association of Broadcasters meeting are any indication.

NesCom graduates took first, second and third places in the on-air personality category at the awards presentations held Sept. 17-18 in Portland.

Taking first place were Meredith Manning, a 1996 graduate, and Jeff Parsons, a 1991 graduate, for the “Q Morning Show” on station WJBQ in Portland.

Mike Dow, a 1984 NesCom graduate, won second place for his part on the “Mike and Mike Show” on station WKSQ in Ellsworth; and John Easton, a 1988 graduate, took third place in the personality category for his part in the “John and Cori in the Morning” show on station WBZN in Old Town.

Overall, some 18 graduates or current staff members of NesCom took home awards after the association’s annual meeting.

Other first-place winners were:

. Meredith Manning and Jeff Parsons of WJBQ, Portland, in the public service category for “Quarters for a Cure.”

. Allison Bankston and Rob Greene of WQBC, Brewer, for best newscast.

. Susan Patten, now a full-time staff member at NesCom and formerly of WVOM, Bangor, for spot news.

. Paul Dupuis and J.R. Mitchell of WBZN, Old Town, for best spot.

. Chris Shorette, WZON, Bangor, for sports play-by-play.

. Diana Tracy and Gray Cabaniss, WGAN, Portland, for election coverage.

Other winners were:

. Jayson Maker, WVII Channel 7, Bangor, first-place award for best television spot.

. Nick Rogers, WZON, Bangor, third for best newscast.

. Clem LaBree, WZON, Bangor, third for UMaine football.

. Mandy Oechslie, WKLE, Bar Harbor, third for best campaign.

. Jaime Hanks, WMGX, Portland, third for best on-air contest.

. Don Coulliard, WGME television, Portland, second place for spot news and third place for photojournalism.