From hot ramen and wasabi, to hot sauce and chilies – a group of Broadcasting students at CRNC took on the heat during their livestream radiothon as part of a burning desire to help others.

Powering through the spicy foods was a creative fundraising initiative for five third-year Broadcasting students at College radio station CRNC The Heat who worked on the Rock Around the Clock radiothon livestream on December 10. Called the ‘Spice Gauntlet,’ the challenge was a highlight of the 12-hour online event in support of the College’s Nourishing Minds Fund. The student who had the most funds donated to Nourishing Minds in his or her name faced the challenge of eating the spiciest food the group of third-year students could think of.

The Spice Gauntlet proved not only to be the most popular part of the radiothon – bringing in the most viewers – but this initiative alone solicited more than $420 in donations to Nourishing Minds (total funds raised were not yet available).

The ‘winning’ title went to Program Director Keith Watts, who took on the eye-watering Korean Hot Ramen as a result, but the entire team faced the heat. Alex “Hobbs” Hobson drank hot sauce, Brayden “Nevs” Neville ate wasabi, Sean ‘The Birdman” Connell downed a can of chopped green chillies, and Huntyr Andrews ate Takis.

Watts noted that the most rewarding part of his involvement with the event is knowing that they helped raise funds for a good cause.

“Sure, eating that ramen was rough but I can’t really complain when I know the money raised is going back to the College community,” he said.

This was the second year that the annual radiothon fundraiser was presented in an online format since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students worked from home to livestream the event via Zoom from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on December 10. The radiothon also featured interviews with bands such as Texas King and MONOWHALES.

In addition to raising funds to support a worthy cause of their choice, Rock Around the Clock offers Radio students a valuable applied learning experience as they plan and execute the annual event.

Nourishing Minds Fund

The Nourishing Minds Fund addresses food insecurity by providing electronic grocery cards to help students in need, to purchase food, toiletries and other life necessities. For more information about the Nourishing Minds Fund or to make a donation, visit donate.niagaracollege.ca/covid-student-support/nourishing-minds-fund/

CRNC the Heat

CRNC the Heat, Niagara’s New Rock is broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CRNC is completely student-operated. Students in the Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program (Radio) gain experience in writing and presenting breaking news stories, selecting what songs they play on-air, and more.

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Dec. 7, 2021: CRNC The Heat throws down the spice gauntlet for Rock Around the Clock Dec. 10