Akron's Annie Lillis is the drummer with The Surfrajettes, the all-female four-piece instrumental surf-rock combo. She's on-the-road constantly, and has begun audio-blogging for The Summit FM from the road. These are dispatches from the tour vehicle, thoughts and concepts from the road, in the perspective of a full time musician who quit her real job to follow the beat of Rock N Roll!
Live Photo by Darrin Commerford
Drumkit Photo by Shermy Freeman
Congratulations to Jramayne Williams, our 2026 Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship winner!
When Jramayne's mother was injured and suddenly unable to work last summer, he stepped up — working 50+ hour weeks to help cover his family's bills while balancing college courses, varsity athletics, and 60 miles a week of running, the anchor that kept him grounded.
He didn't just endure. He thrived: a 3.5+ GPA, team captain, First Team All-Conference, MVP honors, and 30+ college credit hours before graduation. This fall, he heads to college to study computer science and business, with a dream of building apps that help student-athletes manage academics, time, and mental health.
In his own words: "Gratitude does not mean ignoring hardship; it means recognizing the growth that comes from it."
Jim Chenot lived by finding the bright spot and acknowledging the positive around him — and Jramayne embodies that spirit completely. Jim would be proud. We sure are.
The Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship is held and distributed by Akron Community Foundation. Learn more or donate: thesummit.fm/scholarships
"Attitude for Gratitude" Scholarship Selection Committee: Matt Anthony, Cheryl McMillan, Sarah Swirsky
Photos: Above: Jramayne Williams and The Summit FM's Matt Anthony, "Attitude for Gratitude" Scholarship Committee Chair. Below: Jramayne Williams
Last Thursday, May 22, Summit FM members gathered at the Lockview in downtown Akron for another Sounding Board session (#51!) — an exclusive perk of Summit membership. Hosted by Summit FM Music Director Chad Miller, attendees listened to 12 new songs and cast their votes to help decide which tracks will make their way onto The Summit FM airwaves.
It’s one of the many ways our members help shape the music you hear every day while supporting independent radio and discovering new artists first.
Want to be part of the next Sounding Board? Become a member today!
Results
1.) Lambrini Girls - "Cult of Celebrity"
2.) Thee Sacred Souls - "Any Old Fool"
3.) Shakey Graves - "When the Love Is New"
4.) Happy Landing - "Machines"
5.) Caroline Rose - "Yip Yip Yow"
6.) Houndmouth - "Tiger Blood"
7.) Allison Russell - "Cold April"
8.) American Football - "Wake Her Up"
9.) Kurt Vile - "Chance to Bleed"
10.) Julianna Riolino - "Like a Rembrandt"
11.) Grace Potter - "Love Me Not"
12.) Beth Orton - "Waiting"
By Sarah Swirsky, MSW, LISW-S
As a working talk therapist, I believe deeply in the power of a good conversation. Being heard, gaining insight, and feeling connected can be life-changing. But I can also tell you this: when I’m in a funk, one of the most reliable ways I shift my mood is by moving my body to music—whether that’s on my yoga mat, taking a walk with headphones on, or dancing in my kitchen. And when I had hip surgery, you better believe I was still dancing in my chair.
Because mental health doesn’t just live in the mind—it lives in the body, too. Stress, anxiety, grief, and burnout often show up physically, and movement can help us process, release, and regulate what words sometimes cannot. That’s also why we created our Music + Movement program: to help people experience wellness in ways that feel joyful, accessible, and real.
This May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re celebrating Movement for Mental Health—and our Movement for Mental Health Challenge is already underway.
This challenge is rooted in a simple belief: movement is for every body.
For me, movement used to look like hiking a 14,000-foot mountain. I used to push my body hard and rarely questioned what it could do. But injuries, Fibromyalgia, and hip surgery changed my relationship with movement entirely. These days, movement often looks like gentle yoga, short walks, drumming, or simply listening more carefully to what my body needs instead of fighting against it.
And honestly, that shift has taught me something important: movement still matters, even when your body changes. Maybe especially then.
That’s the heart of EveryBody, EveryWay. Wellness isn’t reserved for people with perfect bodies, unlimited energy, or intense fitness routines. It belongs to all of us.
Whether you’re already a committed mover or also finding new ways to move in a changing body, you’re invited to join us. We’re encouraging our community to aim for 150 minutes of movement each week (in whatever way works for you), with simple check-ins, music, and shared encouragement along the way.
Because sometimes, the first step toward feeling better is quite literally a step.
"Icon in the Sky" Goodyear Blimp Documentary Screening & Q+A
Discover the century-long history of an aerial legend. ICON IN THE SKY: 100 YEARS OF THE GOODYEAR BLIMP tells the story of the famous airship through the eyes of its dedicated crew and devoted fans. This heartfelt documentary captures the profound nostalgia and wonder the beloved airship inspires across the globe.
Following the screening, Brad Savage will host a panel featuring Goodyear Blimp Chief Pilot Michael Dougherty, Goodyear Blimp historian Eddie Ogden, and Icon in the Sky director Katy Robinson.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re inviting you to join something simple and energizing, our Movement for Mental Health Challenge.
As a station rooted in music and community, we care about your wellbeing and believe that all movement - especially when paired with music - can be a powerful tool for feeling better. Whether it’s walking with your favorite playlist or dancing in your kitchen, it all counts!
Why movement matters for Mental Health:
Regular movement can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving mood, sleep, and energy. Some research suggests prolonged inactivity may be as harmful as smoking, but even small amounts of movement can make a real difference.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
150 minutes of moderate movement per week
(about 30 minutes 5 days a week OR 21 minutes 7 days per week)
How the Summit FM Movement for Mental Health Challenge Works:
- Goal: 150 minutes of movement per week during the month of May
- Easy tracking:
- Track your daily movement using whatever free, phone app works for you (examples: Applehealth, Googlefit, Strava, Garmin)
- Fill out our quick weekly check-in form sent every Sunday to be entered into a raffle, sign up to receive these emails here
- Optional: Join our club on Strava to share inspiration, playlists, and healthy recipes:
- On the Strava App- follow Sarah Swirsky or Andrew James for extra challenges and motivation, but this isn’t necessary
- What counts? Walking, yoga, dancing, gardening, biking, stretching, chair movement, and more—choose what works for you!
- Easy tracking:
Incentives:
- Weekly prize drawings for those who fill out the weekly form and meet the goal
- Bonus shout-outs for creativity, consistency, and community spirit
- Curated movement playlists and wellness inspiration from The Summit all month long
No pressure, no perfection, just a gentle invitation to move in a way that feels good to you, supported by your Summit FM community!
Sign up for the challenge emails here!
Any questions can be directed to Sarah@thesummit.fm
Opportunities to Move With Us This Month:
Kick off the challenge: Tuesday, May 5 | 5:30–6:30 PM, 309 Woolf Avenue, Akron, OH, with a casual gathering walk at The Summit FM, on the Ellet CLC track, then join in on a chair yoga session with Sarah set to a curated Summit FM playlist. Whether you’d want to walk or need a chair-based movement, there is a movement activity for you! Note: this can also be a time to ask questions about the challenge.
Friday, May 8 | 6-7:30, 762 Elma St, Akron, OH
Join us for a Rhythm Circle at the Expressive Arts Jamboree.
Saturday, May 16 | 10–11 AM, 1795 Steese Rd, Green, OH
Music + Movement Drum Circle at the annual Change of Art.
We’ll wrap up the month with a group hike & optional yoga session. A chance to connect, move, and celebrate together. Date TBD (weather dependent), so stay tuned!
I honestly didn't think I'd make it to graduation. And yet, this milestone isn't as scary as people make it out to be. In many ways, it's the beginning of something new. Education is more than just classes and assignments; it's the evolution of self-improvement and the courage to start fresh.
For me, it all began the moment I learned to express myself freely through my voice, interests, and passions.
It starts with something simple: picking up a pencil for the very first time. You learn to write letters, numbers, and eventually your own name. But that pencil becomes more than just a tool for schoolwork—it becomes the beginning of writing your own story.
Music became a huge part of my story. It has always been more than just sound to me. Music became an escape, a comfort, and, honestly, something that helped save my life. Being exposed to many different genres from a young age helped shape who I am today and sparked a deep love for discovering new artists and sounds. That passion eventually led me to The Summit FM shortly after I finished high school.
What started as simply listening quickly turned into something more meaningful. The Summit FM became a place where I discovered new skills, met incredible people, and found ways to serve my community. From recording voice tracks to spotlighting Akron Public Schools student voices and helping film Studio C performances, I've learned so much about myself and the impact music can have on others. What started as picking up a pencil to write my story has turned into discovering my voice—and using it to uplift others.
What's next for me is to continue writing my story: slowly, intentionally, and with the understanding that every chapter carries meaning. I see now that I can do this because every challenge I faced taught me resilience, every late night taught me patience, and every person who believed in me reminded me that my voice matters.
Because of that, I walk into the future with faith in myself, with gratitude in my heart, and with the courage to keep growing. The same pencil that once helped me learn my name now reminds me that I have the power to keep writing, to keep dreaming, and to keep becoming the person I was always meant to be.
This moment isn't the end of the story—it's simply the turning of a page, a quiet pause before the next chapter begins. And, for the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of the unknown, because I know the story is still being written—and I finally believe in the person holding the pencil. - Taylor