Radio Rookies

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Radio Rookies® is a New York Public Radio® initiative that provides teenagers with the tools and training to create radio stories about themselves, their communities and their world. Since 1999, Radio Rookies has been conducting workshops across New York, in predominantly under-resourced neighborhoods, training young people to use words and sounds to tell true stories. Upon completion, the Rookies' documentaries air on WNYC - usually during Morning Edition (5am to 9am weekdays on WNYC 93.9 FM, 6am to 10am on WNYC AM 820 and online at wnyc.org) Some documentaries also air nationally, often on NPR's All Things Considered. Radio Rookies typically runs one or two workshops a year, each lasting anywhere from four to eight months. During the workshops, Rookie Reporters learn everything about radio journalism: from how to conduct an interview and develop a story to how to craft a script and digitally edit their audio. There is no fee, and the program provides all the equipment and instruction needed.

Series

Caption: Staten Island 2011
6 Pieces

This Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award winning series includes reports told by Staten Island Radio Rookies on everything from surviving Facebook drama to life in the foster care system to coming out as gay in the age of Lady Gaga.

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8 Pieces

The 2010 Radio Rookies Queens broadcast workshop was in partnership with the Flushing YMCA. The Queens Rookies reported stories about everything from gangs in schools, to what it’s like to have your dad deployed in Afghanistan, to online girl gamers.

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5 Pieces

The 2012 Radio Rookies Manhattan broadcast workshop was held in partnership with the McBurney YMCA on 14th Street in Manhattan. The Rookies' stories explore topics ranging from the immigration experience, to living with sickle cell disease, to the sexual harassment of teen girls on social media sites.


Pieces

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15-year-old Keith Tingman remembers his tenth birthday better than any other birthday before or since. That was the day he watched his mom get arre...

Bought by WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., Vocalo.org, KUOW, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 01, 2010
  • Length: 07:43
  • Purchases: 4
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14-year-old AJ Frazier reports on how higher standards at his middle school impact his work ethic.

Bought by PRX Remix, KUOW, and YouthCast


  • Added: Mar 31, 2010
  • Length: 08:55
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Radio Rookie Sunnie Hwang with Producer Czerina Patel
For the first time, Radio Rookies presents an hour-long special, “Growing Up, Getting By”, hosted by WNYC reporter and Radio Rookies founder Marian...

Bought by KSFR, WHRV, KUT, Connecticut Public (WNPR), KUNM and more


  • Added: Nov 10, 2009
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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14-year-old Radio Rookie Krystle Monclova has been living in a group home in Manhattan since last summer. She never expected to wind up in "the sys...

Bought by KUOW


  • Added: Jan 09, 2009
  • Length: 09:19
  • Purchases: 1
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Victoria may be too young to vote in the 2008 presidential election but that didn't stop her from trying to get her classmate to register.

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: Oct 30, 2008
  • Length: 04:32
  • Purchases: 1
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Sharee Johnson wants to find out if Barack Obama can inspire positive change in her community.

  • Added: Oct 30, 2008
  • Length: 04:58
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It doesn't make sense to Erikka Diaz why people in her South Bronx community don't vote so she goes out on the streets to find out.

  • Added: Oct 30, 2008
  • Length: 04:49
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WNYC Radio Rookie, Shirley Diaz's life has been shaped by the tragedy of her mother's murder and having been raised in several foster homes. To avo...

Bought by XRAY.fm, KUT, PRX Remix, KUOW, YouthCast and more


  • Added: Oct 01, 2008
  • Length: 11:42
  • Purchases: 8
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At 15 emancipation has brought both freedom and hardship for Radio Rookie Jordan Teklay. Now 17, he's trying to understand what it means to be an a...

Bought by The Story, KUOW, New Hampshire Public Radio, and KUNM


  • Added: Oct 01, 2008
  • Length: 09:58
  • Purchases: 4
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Krystle Murray tries to sort out her feelings about death.

Bought by KUOW, KFAI Minneapolis, and NPR Station Showcase with PRX


  • Added: Feb 27, 2008
  • Length: 04:53
  • Purchases: 3