Meghan Cobb, left, and Savannah Groot.

By CHAT News Staff

Two SAIT students receive Pattison Media Prairie Equity Scholarship

Dec 10, 2021 | 9:58 AM

Two students at Calgary’s Southern Alberta Institute of Technology have been awarded Pattison Media’s 2021 Prairie Equity Scholarships.

Meghan Cobb is a second-year student at SAIT’s Radio, Television, Broadcast News program, where she specializes in broadcast news.

Meghan had an early passion for broadcast journalism, but didn’t pursue it straight out of high school. Her career path took her to linguistics, IT and adult education, as well as working with the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association teaching English.

“I don’t regret the decision I made to not study broadcasting straight out of high school,” says Meghan, “I believe I made the right choice at the time, that it makes me a better student now, and will make me a better broadcaster in the future.”

Her teachers agree, calling her “dynamic” and “professional”, as well as “hard-working, polite and respectful.” She is already working as a weekend news anchor for a Calgary radio station.

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Meghan says she’s learned lessons in and out of the classroom.

“The past two years have highlighted the role the media plays in sharing information. The more we see a diverse group of people sharing that information, and telling their stories, the more we learn that differences can be an asset.”

Savannah Groot is in the same program at SAIT, but she is specializing in radio.

Savannah has overcome obstacles in her career path, including a back injury that led to problems with painkillers and depression. Having a chance to reflect on her life, she decided to go back to school and was inspired by a visit to the SAIT website.

“I applied for student loans and have never looked back … I have found skills I didn’t know were there and a passion for life again.”

Teachers and employers have noticed, calling her “superior,” “exceptional” and “dedicated.” They say she is a self-starter with ambition, drive and goals for herself. She does not limit her creativity, and constantly asks questions to challenge herself and others.”

Savannah has also voiced and produced two audiobooks, voiced for national Crime stoppers PSA’s, a YouTube channel and a commercial for Energy Canada, and worked as a street teamer and temporary receptionist for a local radio station.

“I now know my future is bright. I have a zest for life again and I owe it to this amazing program… most importantly, I know what to say when asked, ‘What do you want to do with your life?’”

The Equity Scholarship was instituted in 2009 to address the shortage of broadcasters from four under-represented groups; Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Members of Visible Minorities, and Women. Pattison Media 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.

Meghan and Savannah have each received $2,000 to assist them in pursuing their education and career goals.

This year, the scholarship initiative was supported by the following divisions of Pattison Media:

• 101.5 Today Radio, Calgary
• Wild 95.3, Calgary
• Big West Country 92.9, Drayton Valley
• 102.3 NOW! radio, Edmonton
• Up! 99.3, Edmonton
• Big Country 93.1, Grande Prairie
• 98.9 REWIND Radio, Grande Prairie
• larongeNOW.com, La Ronge
• Today’s Country 95-5 Lethbridge
• All Hits B-93 Lethbridge
• LethbridgenewsNOW.com, Lethbridge
• Saskatchewan Country CJNS – Meadow Lake
• MeadowlakeNOW.com, Meadow Lake
• CHAT 94.5, Medicine Hat
• CHAT Television, Medicine Hat
• MY96 FM, Medicine Hat
• CHATNewsToday.ca, Medicine Hat
• 105 CJVR, Melfort
• 750 Beach Radio, Melfort
• northeastNOW.com, Melfort, Tisdale, Nipawin
• Fabvision, Melfort
• Q98 – North Battleford
• Saskatchewan Country CJNB – North Battleford
• 93.3 The ROCK – North Battleford
• battlefordsNOW.com, North Battleford
• 101.5 Beach Radio, Prince Albert
• 900 CKBI, Prince Albert
• Power 99 FM, Prince Albert
• paNOW.com, Prince Albert
• BIG 105.5, Red Deer
• 106.7 REWIND Radio, Red Deer
• rdnewsNOW.com, Red Deer
• 94.5 REWIND Radio, Rocky Mountain House
• saskNOW.com, Saskatchewan
• XM 105 FM, Whitecourt
• QX 104 Country, Winnipeg
• 94.3 NOW! radio, Winnipeg