Imagine tuning into a radio station where students are the hosts, discussing everything from local news to music, sports, and campus happenings — live from Berkeley High School. Since its invention in 1895, the radio has been essential in the development of music and communication across the globe. High schools from states such as Michigan, Illinois, and California have taken the time to integrate a radio station as one of their art elective options. For example, El Cerrito High School (ECHS) offers three courses and a club to help students refine and practice important skills for a career in digital communications. BHS should also adopt a radio program to allow students to amplify their voices, learn public speaking skills, and learn more about the world of broadcasting.
“In radio one, you learn the basics of the FCC rules and how the radio and studio work,” explained Zachary Sparks, an ECHS student in the radio program. “You work on things like programs and PSAs that may eventually be aired. Radio 2 is building off of that, and by the end, students go live on the radio,” he continued.
By taking radio courses, students with an interest in broadcasting can build a community while creating captivating content. ECHS produces shows such as “Underrated/Overrated,” where students evaluate current events, “Sports Across the Sea,” a talk show about international sports, and “Bae’s Bonanza,” a show about dating advice. These projects allow students to harness their creativity and draw ECHS students in with interesting topics. Moreover, they provide authentic and relevant information to the student body, and can be more engaging than print media.
In the ECHS radio program, students create a plan or script for their radio show, record the show, and then do a self-reflection. Each weekly show is an assignment in which students receive feedback upon completion. Other assignments require students to listen to and review other radio programs. Through these courses, BHS students could gain real-world experience with the radio, teaching them crucial skills for any sort of media job in the future.
A BHS radio station would also inform students about local news and important events in their community. This would also benefit Berkeley’s local businesses and musicians through announcements and interviews that could be streamed on air.
Some may argue that radio is outdated and that students wouldn’t want to listen to it. In the past 10 years, listeners of AM/FM radio have decreased by 14 percent, most likely due to the popularity of podcasts and other streaming services. However, according to Sparks, many people in the local area listen to their radio station, KECG, because topics are primarily focused on ECHS and are not covered by other sources. Even though many prefer to stream music nowadays, radio stations are no longer restricted to AM/PM broadcasts; a BHS radio station could be accessed through a school website or social media and would be free of charge.
Overall, a radio station at BHS would expand students' Career Technical Education options, allowing all to learn a new skill while serving the Berkeley community. In an era where digital media is more relevant than ever, preserving radio for younger generations is crucial. Now is the time to invest and create a platform that will benefit BHS for years to come.