This is an article I wrote for HEX Magazine on an incredible local radio station run by a cool group of high school students.
On any given morning, the voices of Pleasant Grove high
school students and their prime music picks can be heard whizzing across the
valley by tuning into 88.1 FM. KPGR, the high school’s student-run radio
station, has been broadcasting since 1976. Every school year, a new batch of
students are chosen to man the station, choosing songs, covering sporting
events, and developing their own shows. This years KPGR’s management consists
of Annysela Medrano (President), Nate Bramhall (who oversee the station’s live
music, Pig Pen), Kaden Crutchfield (audio director), and Jacob Corry
(vice-president). Though most of the students first became involved with the radio
station through their love of music, they all agree that their experience with
the radio station will benefit them in other ways, from improved resumes to
story-telling skills. “Not a lot of high
schools have radio stations or have had the opportunity to broadcast. It looks
pretty good on any transcript,” Crutchfield explains. Russ Mayo, the long-time
advisor of KPGR, hopes that his student’s experience with the radio station
will influence them in all aspects of their lives, “I want [the students] to be
able to go out in public and have a sense of confidence and social and speaking
skills. Maybe one out of a hundred will go on to be a radio host, but all of
them need the social skills that will help them in their careers in the future…
for me it’s a dream job, I get to
come and hang out with students and watch them be creative and be successful.”
Unfortunately, in a world of Spotify, Pandora
and iTunes, radio is suffering. “There have been songs written about video
killing the radio star, all of these things were supposed to kill radio, and
they never have. But the internet is doing it.” But the students of KPGR
haven’t lost hope yet. “You can pick and choose exactly what you want to listen
to on your phone, so that’s what we’re trying to make [KPGR], what you want,“
Medrano explains. Corry sites musical discovery as a benefit of radio, “I can
see how radio is dying because it’s so easy to plug an iPod into your car
stereo system. But there are die-hard fans that will still listen to the radio.
KPGR is a great way to hear music that you’ve never heard before, pretty
underground music.” That exploration isn’t the only thing the DJ’s love about
radio, “I like the fact that every song is directed at the public, but it’s
also directed at the single listener, it’s a very deliberate thing,” Bramhall
says. Crutchfield also explained a unique human element of radio, “I like
having the opportunity to hear a voice on the radio, even if it’s just dumb
things like the weather or traffic, at least you know somebody’s there, working
towards your pleasure.” When asked what they hope listeners gain from KPGR, the
students each had their own answers. Corry began, “we hope they support local
bands and hear new music, that’s our main pushing point this year.” Crutchfield
added, “We have the opportunity to be the voice of Pleasant Grove, being able
to tell people when dances, concerts, anything is happening. Without even
knowing the listener you can build a relationship with them.” Bramhall went on
to explain, “It’s a unifying thing, we’ll all be listening to a football game
or a local band together.” “And that’s our goal, to bring people together,”
Medrano finished.
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