By CHAT News Today

Alberta students awarded Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Equity Scholarships

Dec 28, 2017 | 5:00 AM

CALGARY – Two Alberta post-secondary students have been named the 2017 recipients of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Prairie Equity Scholarships.

Chad Booth from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, along with Jessie Weisner from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology have both received $2,000 scholarships to help them pursue their education and career goals.

Booth is a first-year student in the Radio and TV Program at NAIT and suffers from Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a disability that effects his joints and muscles. He currently co-hosts a radio show at NAIT, and hopes to work in radio when he graduates.

“I am dedicated to helping other people with disabilities realize their full potential,” Booth says in a news release. “I want my peers to recognize my potential and judge me for what I do and say, and look beyond the physical difference.”

Weisner is in her second year in the RTBN Program at SAIT, majoring in Broadcast News. Losing a brother to cancer at a young age prompted her to activism in childhood cancer awareness, and eventually into women’s rights.

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During a self-funded trip to El Salvador when Weisner was 16, she came face to face with prejudice and sexual assault against women. “They did not have the resources to escape their situations,” she said in a statement. “I remember these women whenever I take charge in spreading awareness on female rights and opportunities.”

Weisner adds she is extremely passionate about her chosen career in broadcasting.

“I truly believe that broadcasting is where I’m meant to be in life, and I’m so excited to get it started,” she said.

The Equity Scholarship was instituted in 2009 to address the shortage of broadcasters from four under-represented groups; Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women.

According to the news release, the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group believes that by supporting the career development of these groups in broadcasting on the Prairies, the industry will access an untapped pool of potentially talented employees, encourage diverse viewpoints and backgrounds, enhance relationships with local communities, and broaden the advertiser and audience base.

The scholarship initiative is supported by the following stations of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group:

-101.5 KOOL FM, Calgary

-Wild 95.3 FM, Calgary

-Big West Country 92.9 FM, Drayton Valley

-102.3 NOW! FM, Edmonton

-Up! 99.3 FM, Edmonton

-Big Country 93.1 FM, Grande Prairie

-Q99 FM, Grande Prairie

-Country 95.5 FM, Lethbridge

-B-93.3 FM, Lethbridge

-102.3 FM CJNS FM, Meadow Lake

-CHAT 94.5 FM, Medicine Hat

-CHAT Television, Medicine Hat

-MY96 FM, Medicine Hat

-Q98 FM, North Battleford

-1050 CJNB AM, North Battleford

-93.3 The Rock FM, North Battleford

-Mix 101 FM, Prince Albert

-Today’s Country 900 CKBI AM, Prince Albert

-Power 99 FM, Prince Albert

-BIG 105.5 FM, Red Deer

-106.7 The Drive FM, Red Deer

-B-94 FM, Rocky Mountain House

-94.3 The Drive FM Winnipeg

-QX 104 FM, Winnipeg