WTIP Brings Youth Focus to StoryCorps’ One Small Step
WTIP has been selected to be a One Small Step hub station in 2024. An initiative of StoryCorps, this is the second time that WTIP has been chosen to participate as a hub station. StoryCorps is a national nonprofit founded in 2003, which is dedicated to helping us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all, one story at a time.
“WTIP is excited to be chosen as a StoryCorps Alumni station in 2024,” said staff coordinator Staci Drouillard. “We’ll put our previous experience to task, this time incorporating youth voices and stories into our work with One Small Step.” The project began in May and will continue through December 2024.
Throughout the last two years members of the WTIP staff have been working with high school students in the media class taught by Michael McHugh. Station staff have led workshops on interviewing skills, creating a podcast and music show production. One Small Step provides WTIP with a unique opportunity to carry this important work with area youth further by involving them in the initiative. The station’s goal is to have a small cohort of paid student interns over the summer develop the project. WTIP is working with Barbara Jean Meyers, former One Small Step project manager in 2022, and ISD 166 teacher Michael McHugh to generate interest among students and launch the summertime program.
“I have made several trips to Michael McHugh’s media class in the last couple weeks and am thrilled to report that interest among the students is high. They are eager to learn more about interviewing, facilitating conversations and creating programming related to the effort. This is a tremendous opportunity for our youth as well as the station and I cannot wait to see what these curious and thoughtful young people bring to the project.”
WTIP’s youth-focused work is part of the station’s broad efforts to engage young radio producers and “pass the mic” to the next generation of radio enthusiasts.
“One Small Step is all about bridge building within our society and too often young people are overlooked. Through this initiative we have the opportunity to change that by amplifying these young voices,” says Meyers.
To learn more about One Small Step, please visit the One Small Step Project Page.
Learn more with updates on the 2024 project by listening below:
