Radio Rookies is a WNYC program that trains young people to use words and sounds to tell true stories about themselves, their families, their communities and the world. Young people are spoken about in the media, but they are not often enough given the chance to speak for themselves. Through a series of eight-week workshops, each held in a new neighborhood, Radio Rookies gives teenagers the tools to become radio journalists, and allows them to learn from professional journalists how to develop a story, conduct interviews and edit and produce a polished radio feature that can air on WNYC. The program gives WNYC's more than 1 million weekly listeners the opportunity to hear fresh and intimate perspectives on New York City and on its youth, while also helping teenagers gain the skills, confidence and determination necessary to get their voices on the airwaves.

Radio Rookies Affiliates with community centers in different neighborhoods, and teaches up to six students per session. Students learn how to use tape recorders and how to edit using Pro Tools digital editing. They learn how to record sounds professionally and how to write a script. After the workshops, they come to WNYC to record their narration in a studio at the station. They are guided through the whole process, learning about every aspect of radio journalism, from conceiving a story to putting it together.

Each Rookie reporter is also paired with a volunteer mentor — a professional journalist — who gives the teenager guidance and assistance in between workshops. There is no fee and we provide all the equipment and instruction needed. Each student is given a reporter's notebook, a logbook, a Radio Rookies Press Pass as well as a tape recorder for each to use for the length of the workshop. The program is currently made possible by a generous grant from the Youth Initiatives Program of the Open Society Institute and is run by WNYC Radio in New York.

The first Radio Rookies workshop was held in conjunction with Make the Road by Walking Inc, a non-profit organization which promotes organizing and activism in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The second Radio Rookies workshop is currently being held at The Point, Community Development Corporation in the South Bronx. The Bushwick Rookies' stories aired on WNYC at the end of January and can be heard, along with the stories from the Harlem Radio and Photography Project (the pilot workshop), on our Web site, www.radiorookies.org.

Those stories grapple with issues that face many young people throughout the country — such as dropping out of high school, learning English as an immigrant teenager, attempting suicide and going to a vocational high school. Other Bushwick stories deal with guns and youth, and the lack of after school activities in Bushwick. The Radio Rookies hope their stories spark ideas and discussion and that after listening to the stories, people, especially youth will share their thoughts on Open Mic, our online message board.

Bushwick Rookie Linda Cuevas tells future Radio Rookies "You learn a lot of things and you will enjoy it. It would be a good experience for the future."

Teenagers who want to participate in Radio Rookies should go to the Radio Rookies Web site and click on "Become a Rookie."

Many of the teenagers from the Bushwick workshop and from the pilot to this project, the Harlem Radio and Photography Project, are now interested in radio and other journalism. Seven of these students will be representing Radio Rookies at a youth radio conference in San Francisco this March. We are constantly looking for ways to keep the Rookies involved in journalism, so other media organizations who have internship and other educational/training opportunities for our youth should please contact us at: radiorookies@wnyc.org.

The Rookies in the South Bronx (Hunts Point) are now working on their stories. These stories include one about virginity, one about dealing with a drug addicted dad, one about growing up with grandparents instead of parents and one which will examine the effect George W. Bush will have on the things he and his family care about. Other Hunts Point stories include one about a Rookie's obsession to become a superstar, and another about a Rookie who was ostracized in high school, but found acceptance in the hip-hop and performance poetry world. These stories are expected to air on WNYC in May. The schedule will be posted on our Web site closer to the time.

The Radio Rookies learn more than just radio. They learn to overcome fears, such as shyness and insecurity. Their finished stories show them their capabilities and talent, and the positive response of WNYC listeners lets the Rookies know their voices have impact and should be heard. Their stories are significant, interesting and bring a new and needed dimension to journalism.
 

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