Digital media students win first place in audio drama competition for project celebrating America’s 250th anniversary
March 12, 2026 : By Ryan Klinker - Office of Communications & Public Engagement
A team of two students from Liberty University’s Department of Digital Media & Journalism took first place in the 12-Hour Audio Challenge competition at this year’s National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention, showcasing their industry skills and continuing Liberty’s record of success at the event.
The audio competition, sponsored by Intercollegiate National Religious Broadcasters (iNRB), tasks each duo with creating a three- to four-minute audio drama from start to finish in 12 hours before presenting it to judges. Liberty has maintained a notable track record at the competition, winning five times (2016, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2026), second place in 2025, and third place in 2018.
The theme for this year’s competition was “Born in 1776. Still standing. Proclaiming 250 years of freedom and bravery!” Teams created an audio feature commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States that reflects on the nation’s history, values, struggles, and growth over the past 250 years while also considering its present and future. Liberty’s duo of audio/live production senior Isaiah Shires and video editing junior Sara Zeh were selected by digital media professor Kornel Gerstner to attend the convention and compete. For the challenge, they focused on the theme of equality by discussing how far America has come in offering the same rights to all races and both genders, as well as the importance of protecting the unborn.
“Each semester, I observe my students not only to teach industry-standard skills and techniques but also to identify who might excel on the next audio challenge team,” Gerstner said. “I consider how they collaborate, submit projects, and demonstrate individual strengths that contribute to team success. Sara’s creative storytelling skills, competitive spirit, and ability to thrive in group challenges stood out. Isaiah has exceptional technical skills in production and post-production.”
Individually, Shires also won first place in the Audio – PSA, Commercial, or Promo Production category for a promotional piece he created about Liberty’s Hydaway Outdoor Center.
NRB is the premier conference for Christian communicators. Held in Nashville on Feb. 17-20, the event brought together professionals and students from around the country to share what is happening in Christian media today.
