Two Eastern Idahoans enter Ryan Seacrest Foundation contest to raise awareness
EASTERN IDAHO, Idaho (KIFI) – Two Eastern Idahoans are entering the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s “Next Top Host” contest, a national broadcast competition that not only offers a chance at a podcast career but a chance to give a voice to what they believe in.
“When I heard about this, I thought, ‘wow, there’s a chance for me to get an even bigger voice out for mental awareness and suicide prevention’,” said Melissa Schrade, a top 15 Competitor for the Next Top Host.
Four years ago, Melissa lost her child, Adrian, to suicide. Ever since, she’s been a fierce advocate for mental health and suicide prevention.
“I found my sweet kid, but she was gone, and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. If I could help even one person avoid that, I’d go wherever I need to go.”
Now, as one of the top 10 competitors in the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s “Next Top Host” contest, she’s using this platform to reach youth nationwide.
“What you’ll hear over and over again is we didn’t see it coming,” Melissa said. “They were so smart. They were so gifted. They’re football stars. They’re quarterbacks, they’re valedictorians. And the people that you have no idea there’s some pressure or something that’s so wrong within their mind. And if we can get to that before it comes to that crisis point, we can help a lot of people.”
Melissa wants to help kids like her Adrian, giving mental health awareness a larger platform. And she isn’t the only local competitor entering the contest with a heart set on a good cause.
Fellow Eastern Idaho finalist Jason Jaynes was drawn to the cause for a deeply personal reason of his own.
“It’s just trying to get those votes out and then let people know that the Ryan Seacrest Foundation is just tremendous,” Jason said.
Proceeds from the competition help fund “Seacrest Studios” which are entertainment centers built inside pediatric hospitals, including Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, a place close to Jason’s heart.
“My little sister Rebecca actually went to Primary Children’s way back when she was first born. And I tell you what, that hospital was just amazing. But, man, for a program like this, if she had had that, it would have just been such a wonderful experience.”
For Jason, a longtime local event DJ, the competition also marks a natural next step in his career, combining his passion for entertainment with meaningful community impact.
“I’m a DJ, actually off to the side; I actually DJ weddings and I do events. So I already really enjoyed being out in public. But I’m getting to that age where I don’t have the energy to do that anymore. And so I really thought, you know what, maybe a podcast… maybe being on the radio.”
Both Melissa and Jason are hoping Eastern Idaho will rally behind them, not just to win a podcast, but to bring healing and light to kids who need it most.
If you would like to support them, here are the links to their voting pages. You can vote once for free every 24 hours.
Top Host Voting Link for Melissa!
Top Host Voting Link for Jason!
For more information about the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and the Top Host competition, click HERE.
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