Written by Dowling Payne

Claire Contevita is not your average college student. Within a minute of conversation, you can see the drive that keeps her moving forward toward her goals and dreams.

Originally from San Francisco, Contevita considers herself a true California girl. Her father was in the air force so she quickly grew accustomed to moving around and found herself in Georgia.

In high school, Contevita had one passion– fashion. She always dreamed of becoming a magazine editor and came to college as an English major.

This soon changed when she entered a radio station with her friend during her sophomore year. As soon as Contevita put on the headphones, she was hooked.

“It was a feeling I can’t explain,” Contevita said.

She quickly changed her major and has been working toward a mass media degree ever since.

Growing up, Contevita never had a relationship with her biological father, but after recently reconnecting with him, she learned that he also had a career in radio.

Coincidentally, her family consists of a long list of various relatives that are involved in the world of music.

“We’re all connected through music making,” Contevita said.

Contevita is certainly diving right into her radio dreams. Over the past year and a half, she has been working at WVVS Blaze FM 90.9 as the promotions director.

She first began as a format DJ, but got a promotion within a year. Her hopes are to one day become the station manager as she loves to direct, produce and have her hands in all the daily workings of the station.

Courtney Benton, a Blaze FM coworker, has been working with Contevita over the past year.

“She is not afraid to work hard,” Bento said. “She finds ways to make all her work fun and successful.”

In the future, Contevita dreams of being a female Ryan Seacrest.

“He began in radio,” Contevita said. “Now he does it all, he’s so successful.”

Currently Contevita has taken on the task of being responsible for the return of BLAZEFEST– a music festival that will showcase local bands on the front lawn.

It will feature seven different bands, mostly indie, that will each play for a half hour.

The bands performing will include Sin, Paper Hawks and most notably Music World Order.

The event will take place on March 30 and can be thought of as a dialed down local version of Warped Tour.

Outside of the studio, Contevita loves fashion and writing. She spends her free time with her supportive boyfriend, Ian Kerstanski.

“She is a go getter,” Kerstanski said. “She never gives up on anything.”

Contevita is a hard working and loyal worker with a drive to accomplish any task she is given. She is certainly not going to stop until she reaches her dream.