The Edge’s Barajas and Wells bring home gold again

This archived article was written by: Troy Hunt

USU Eastern students Sheraya Barajas and Kelton Wells successfully defended their national championship in Audio/Radio production at this year’s Skills USA championships. Held June 20-24 in Kansas City, Mo, the competition brought college teams from across the nation.
The Audio/Radio Production contest is designed to challenge contestants in two-person teams to produce a 60-second audio production/radio commercial. The team has a limited specific amount of time over a two-day period to write their script, gather natural sound, record voice overs and edit their spot. They then burn their production to an audio CD. The contestants are judged on the professionalism of their production, the quality of the audio and the conveyance of the information to the listener. This year’s competition required the teams to interview competitors and exhibitors at the trade show held in conjunction with the Skills USA annual conference.
Students who compete in the Skills USA Audio/Radio competition are chosen from the staff of USU Eastern’s radio station, 89.7 The Edge. Barajas served as the student station manager during the 2011 academic year. Wells was the music director and traffic manager. Both students were strongly involved in the running of the station. “Sheraya and Kelton took the opportunities offered by the radio station and ran with them. Writing and producing spots, learning news production, hosting their own weekly specialty show,” said Professor Troy Hunt. “Their success at both the state and national Skills USA competitions is not surprising. In fact, one of the teams they defeated at nationals had a student who had worked professionally in radio for a number of years before attending college. Their talent, skills and devotion to their radio station work helped prepare them for their success.”
Students wishing to join the radio station staff begin their training in JCOM 1560, Broadcast Production (Audio). The class is taught both in the fall and spring of each academic year. For more information students can contact Professor Troy Hunt.
Both Barajas and Wells have moved on from Eastern to pursue their education. Barajas recently married her long-time fiancé Alex Brown. The couple is making their home in Cedar City while attending Southern Utah University. Sheraya is seeking a double major in broadcasting and public relations. Wells is an ambassador for Utah State University and is studying journalism and music.
SkillsUSA is the national organization for students in trade, industrial, technical and health occupations education. It sponsors the SkillsUSA Championships annually to recognize the achievements of career and technical education students and to encourage them to strive for excellence and pride in their chosen occupations.