The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009-2010 Student Broadcaster Scholarship. Awarded annually in the amount of $2,000, the scholarships are given to students pursuing a career in over-the-air broadcasting and are enrolled in a broadcast program and a two or four-year accredited school. This year, 5 Bay State residents were selected from over 100 applicants. Winners were chosen based on financial need, academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement and an essay about their interest in broadcasting.

The recipients and their families were part of a brief presentation at WCVB TV on June 16. MBA Past Chair and WCVB TV President and General Manager, Bill Fine handed out scholarships to Lauren Anderson of East Boston, a freshman at UMass Amherst, Robert Flaherty of North Reading, attending Ithaca College this fall, as well as Elizabeth Burke of Fitchburg, a student at Emerson College. Also awarded scholarships but unable to attend the presentation were Lindsey Alston of Boston, attending Emerson College in the fall and Evan Valenti of Dalton, a sophomore at Syracuse University.

New in 2009, an additional scholarship fund was added in memory of the late Al Sprague, former president of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association. Awarded in the amount of $2,500, this scholarship was presented to Rise MacKenzie of Roxbury, a freshman at Emerson College in the fall.

Below in order are: Lauren Anderson, Elizabeth Burke, Robert Flaherty and Risa MacKenzie with MBA Executive Director Deanna Raymond. And the group with WCVB TV President and General Manager, Bill Fine.

Need assistance with a converter box, antenna or rescanning your TV? Call toll-free 1-866-961-2492. Our 24-hour call center will help you ensure you can watch your favorite channels after the June 12th transition.

For the majority of full-power stations, their on-air consumer obligations will terminate on June 12, 2009. However, stations that have not completed construction of their full authorized post-transition digital facility must continue complying with the Consumer Education requirements after they terminate their analog service until they complete construction and commence operation of their full authorized post-transition digital facility.

This requirement for continued consumer education applies, for example, to stations that have received an extension of their construction permit beyond June 12, 2009, or are operating pursuant to a “phased transition” Special Temporary Authority which allows continued operation on a pre-transition digital channel or reduced operation on the post-transition channel. It does not apply to stations that have completed construction of their authorized post-transition facility but have not completed construction of a maximized facility.

These stations must revise the content of their educational messages to provide information about the limits on station’s digital service area and the anticipated date for it to complete construction and commence operation of its full, authorized post-transition digital facility.

Should you have questions, please contact your station counsel or call the NAB Legal department at (866) 682-0276.

And don’t forget, our call center is live 24-7 through the end of June. Viewers can call 1-866-961-2492 for assistance.