In recent months, St Mary’s College announced the launch of their student based-radio station.
The intention of this initiative is that students can allow themselves to be heard, to be creative, and have the opportunity to grow and experience a different activity. This not only can be of benefit to them and their highschool career, but has the potential to eventually help with their future.
We spoke with Veronique Mandal, she is the Program Coordinator for journalism and media convergence at St Clair College, in Windsor, Ontario. She believes that a highschool radio program is a great stepping stone for future journalists and radio broadcasters.
“It’s such a positive thing to see on a college application, particularly if you’re going into one of the media related program,” said Mandal. “It means not only that you have some skills in that regard, but it also means that you’re serious about what you’re doing, and that you have started preparing for what you hope will be your future career.”
Not only is the radio a good experience for a student’s future, but it is also giving them a chance to explore their creativity and develop their voices in delivering messages that resonate with them, as well as their audience.
SaultOnline also had the opportunity of speaking with Mario Rocchetta, the teacher in charge of SMC radio and he spoke out on why he thinks it’s an important experience and how working with the radio station is making an impact on the students.
“It’s given our students a unique opportunity to make their voices heard. Whether they are spinning tunes on air, or hosting talk shows, the students are front and centre creating content and sharing it with our school community and the global community, too.” said Rocchetta.
“What’s been especially cool with SMC radio is watching the true impact it’s had on our student life here at St. Mary’s. Its grown into a grassroots initiative that’s really taken off thanks to the support of our administration, Mrs. Hannah, Mrs, Palumbo and Mr. Czop, and the hard work and commitment from the students.”
At the longest running high-school radio station in the province where they broadcast out of Kingston, 91.9 The Cave, General Manager Fraser Ross also noted the experience gained in the program can be great if the student is trying to build a career path. When they work on the high school radio station there, it can be heard across the city and they earn credits towards graduation.
“So you could earn up to eight credits. And those credits can be art credits. They can be communication technology credits, they can be English credits, like your standard, grade 11, English (and) media English,” said Ross. “Then there are music credits, [and] we can also offer a business credit. And one nice thing is because we are an incorporated business, we also can serve as a Co-op for children who are looking Co-op opportunities.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the SMC radio team or are going to be attending SMC in the fall and think you’d be interested you can reach out to the Huron Superior Catholic School Board for more information.
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