From top left, clockwise: WKNC’s DMC Woodstock interviews Machine Girl, graphic by Sophia Cunningham. Sarah Hernando in the music director's office, photo by Josie Lacey. Best of WKNC 2025 medal, photo by Ryann Horn. Double Barrel Benefit 21 poster, graphic by Ryann Horn.
On April 7, student radio station WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2 announced its inaugural Best of WKNC award winners.
“Each year, more than 100 students spend time DJing or creating content for WKNC and the Best of WKNC awards are a way to honor the exemplary talent we have on our staff,” said Jamie Lynn Gilbert, Student Media Associate Director and WKNC’s adviser.
Sarah Hernando, Daytime (indie rock) Music Director, was honored as Best DJ for “Scrimble’s Bad Music Hour.”
“Every Thursday night at midnight, Scrimble unleashes her Bad Music Hour, a celebration of music’s most unconventional corners,” Hernando wrote in her submission. “From Minecraft parodies and Glee covers to TikTok hits and Eurovision anthems, no genre is too quirky—or too ‘bad’—for the Bad Music Hour. In this program, Scrimble analyzes the concept of ‘bad music,’ challenging listeners to embrace the joy of an embarrassing music taste while playing cat-themed music with Reggie. Bad Music Hour is more than a show—it’s a rebellion against the mundane and pretentious, proving that even the weirdest tunes can be unforgettable.”
Spencer Grattan, Afterhours (electronic) Music Director, won the Best Interview award for his conversation with Matt Stephenson of Machine Girl and concertgoers in November 2024. DJ Sophia Cunningham provided graphics for the interview and podcast.
Ryann Horn, Social Media Content Creator, won Best Graphic Design for her work on WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit 21 concert poster.
“As a Social Media Content Creator for WKNC, I’ve designed many graphics for both print and social media, but working on posters for Double Barrel Benefit has been my most exciting project,” Horn wrote in her submission. “Designing for DBB 20 and 21 was not only an incredible honor but also an amazing learning experience. For DBB 21, I was tasked with creating a Valentine’s-themed poster, which challenged me to approach the design from an interesting perspective and resulted in a piece I’m especially proud of. Now, as a senior, I’m reflecting on the skills I’ve gained and the work I’ve created in this role. I’m excited to take these experiences with me after graduation!”
The contest was announced in February, with nominations solicited from staff through March 15. Entries were voted on by current staff, with winners announced on April 7 in an online ceremony. Each winner received an engraved medal.
WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2 announced its inaugural Best of WKNC Awards in an April 7 online ceremony.
