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Northland radio station features program on Ashland middle schoolers

March 20, 2012

The Northland College radio station 97.7 WRNC-LP will broadcast a radio special featuring stories from Ashland Middle School students on Thursday, March 22, at 5 p.m. Ashland Middle School collaborated with WRNC to develop a radio program where students offer stories and advice to their peers on issues facing middle school students.

Meghan Friesen, supervisor of the Lighted School House After School Program at Ashland Middle School, proposed the idea of a radio workshop for students at WRNC. A dozen students from the after school program recorded stories or suggestions on dealing with drugs, dating, homework, sports, family obligations and more during a five-day workshop with WRNC. Friesen says it's important to offer kids a chance to be heard.

"Middle school is a challenging time for many kids and young adults," says Friesen. "The program gives them an opportunity to sound off and offer advice to those who may be experiencing similar issues inside and outside the classroom."

Danielle Kaeding, station manager at WRNC, says students played the roles of producer and anchor as they developed and asked questions of their classmates for the program.

"The radio workshop was intended to give students an idea of what it's like to work in the broadcasting industry," says Kaeding. "At the same time, students offer a window into what struggles they face and how they deal with it."

Stories are told from the perspective of students. Due to the nature of sensitive topics, some participants preferred to use aliases or refrained from using names. Listeners can also stream the program live online at www.wrnclp.org.