NORFOLK — Northeast Community College Media Arts Broadcasting sophomore Kelsey Bigelow was awarded the Dick Palmquist Scholarship from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation (NBAF). She was awarded $3,500 for her strong passion for broadcasting.  

The NBAF gifted six students in Nebraska a scholarship, Bigelow was the only two-year student awarded.  

As with any scholarship, this greatly helps Bigelow currently as a student and with her future in broadcasting. “Receiving this scholarship will allow me to not worry so much about working a bunch of hours while I am in school, instead I can focus on broadcasting and can put my skills to work,” Bigelow said.  

Bigelow added that she can work fewer hours which allows her to spend more time working for the campus radio and TV stations, 101-7 The Nest and Hawk TV, more often.  

This scholarship will also help her as she is set to graduate from Northeast in May and plans to transfer to a four-year university. “After I complete my bachelor’s degree, I hope to someday earn a job with ESPN or Fox Sports to become a sideline reporter, play by play announcer or an analyst,” Bigelow said.  

There are many factors that come into standing out from other applicants. “I think that my writing skills helped me win this scholarship,” Bigelow said. “Entering into the media business, even if it is television, it is still important to be able to put together a good piece of writing,” she said.  

Since Northeast is a part of the NBAF, Bigelow had met with the President of the Association when he came to Northeast for a meeting, which she said she believes was a big element that made her stand out to the committee.  

One of the most important aspects that made her stand out was her work. She said she had many opportunities that Northeast had given her to create great pieces of work to submit. 

Broadcasting professor Brian Anderson was the one who encouraged Bigelow to apply for the scholarship as well as writing her a letter of recommendation.  

All good things take time and effort but, Bigelow said applying for the scholarship was definitely worth the work. 

The Dick Palmquist scholarship application is much more than the average fill in your name, age and submit it. Bigelow had to complete the application, as well as provide two letters of recommendation, a link to an audio or video sample, submit a resume, attach her transcript and provide an essay that answered the question, “what do local radio or television stations need to do within the next five years to remain relevant to their audiences, communities and advertisers?” 

She said the essay question gave her the chance to show not only her knowledge about broadcasting, but also to show her writing skills. 

When Bigelow was only four years old, she started playing sports competitively. She played softball, basketball, and track throughout her high school career. 

“As high school graduation approached, I knew I wanted to stay connected with sports, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue playing,” Bigelow said. “My junior year I set up a job shadow with my local radio station and I loved it! It was then that I decided for sure that I wanted to be a sports broadcaster,” she said.