From left, Dennis Webster accepts a “Friend of Education” award from Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker.

A local radio host was honored Tuesday by the Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education.

Dennis Webster, a 1972 Jamestown High School Graduate, was recognized as a “Friend of Education.” Webster spent roughly a half-century as a radio host for WJTN and the Media One Radio Group prior to his retirement in August 2024. He has been a longtime supporter of the Jamestown Public Schools.

Among his extensive coverage of the district, Webster has spent decades documenting the events and stories associated with the JHS music department. Over the years, he has announced band competitions, narrated band concerts, dedicated extensive radio and audio programs to the JHS Marching Band, A Cappella Choir, orchestra, musicals, and has been an supporter of the student musicians at JHS.

“Thank you very much for this honor and recognition,” Webster told board members. “Nothing that I accomplished in terms of the Jamestown Public Schools on the radio could have happened if I had not had the opportunity to be at that microphone with the permission of the people who owned and programmed the radio station. I was there because they allowed me to be there, and to do the things that I have done.”

As a public service to the community, he also hosted Whitaker and prior JPS superintendents on his radio show every Thursday morning.

“Aside from being a radio person and aside from my conversations with him … he has highlighted great teachers, administrators, and construction projects, our students of the month, and our student leaders. He has been involved in every aspect of our district,” Whitaker said.

Webster will continue to support the district as a special assistant to the JPS Public Relations Office in anticipation of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the JHS A Cappella Choir and JHS Band programs. A documentary on the programs, narrated by Webster and produced by Salty Doubloon Digital Studio and 2015 JHS graduate Ray Lydell, will premiere in early 2025.

“Everyone across our district has either seen Dennis wandering around with his handheld recorder or has experienced Dennis directly coming at them with his handheld recorder for a comment. We wanted to make sure that we publicly thanked Dennis for his commitment with his award and are pleased to continue our partnership with him in the month ahead.”