Student making waves in radio
“Journalism is a lifestyle, not a career,” said Fanshawe College student Elyse Skura, who was awarded the Jim Allard Scholarship from a pool of Radio Broadcasting students from across the country.
Skura, who graduated from Fanshawe's Radio Broadcasting program in June and is now studying Media Theory and Production at the college, was granted the honour during a Canadian Association of Broadcasting (CAB) Awards Breakfast on November 4 at the CAB Convention where a large number of scholarships were handed out.
Skura is only the second recipient in Fanshawe's history to have received this prestigious scholarship.
The $2,500 CAB National Scholarship is awarded annually to an aspiring broadcaster presently enrolled in a journalism program at either college or university and “best combines academic achievement with natural talent.”
Skura is also a two-time winner of the Television and Radio Director's Association of Canada National Scholarship, totaling $4,000.
Crediting her great, knowledgeable professors, Skura admitted to feeling a little surprised by the entire experience.
“To be the one to receive this award is just overwhelming because anyone could've gotten it,” said Skura. “I feel like there are not enough people who take advantage of applying for scholarships.”
Skura's achievements do not come as a surprise to her professors.
“Skura was very adaptable and fully committed. She was always the person who would be early to arrive and late to leave,” said Bob Collins, a co-coordinator / professor of the Broadcast Journalism, Radio Broadcasting and MTP Programs at Fanshawe College and Western University.
Originally from Toronto, Skura was not always sure what she wanted to study come time for college.
“I did not decide on journalism until I was in grade 12. All together I think I've applied to about seven different programs which were all different,” said Skura.
Skura admitted to originally wanting to accept going to Carlton University for their Journalism program, but then decided to accept the Western / Fanshawe joint program because it was a better fit.
The joint program offers students more options and choices when considering television, radio or print mediums.
“Your first year is primarily spent at Western University. The second year is spent at Fanshawe where students have to partake in one evening class per semester,” she explained.
Skura appreciates the opportunity she was given to work as News Director at Fanshawe's 106.9 The “X”.
“Working at the “X” was a good amount of extra work but it was nothing too overwhelming. It was nice because I got to have a little bit of extra say,” she recalled.
According to Collins, Skura was involved with the direction of approximately 70 fellow students when working as a News Director for 106.9 The “X”.
“Skura has great leadership skills,” Collins said, “and her peers looked up to her.”
The program has allowed Skura to explore all her options when considering job options for her future.
“In this program you're doing things that you wouldn't think of doing before. You're talking to people that you never would've had the opportunity to talk to before,” admitted Skura.
As for the bright 22-year-old's future, Skura admitted there are no limits.
Skura has already completed a four-month internship at City Television working for the program “CityLine.”