In 2014, WYSO launched Youth Radio to give high school students the opportunity to speak for themselves. Each year, teens collaborate with the Eichelberger Center for Community Voices to write, produce, and air their own stories on WYSO. These young creators bring fresh energy, new perspectives, and powerful storytelling to the airwaves—and their voices are helping shape the future of our region.
We’ve proudly worked with students from schools including David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center, Dayton Early College Academy (DECA), Dayton STEM Academy, The Miami Valley School, Tecumseh High School, Yellow Springs High School, Centerville High School, Stivers School of the Arts, Springfield STEM Academy, Springfield High School, Springfield School of Innovation, and Thurgood Marshall Career Academy.
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In this WYSO Youth Radio episode, high schooler Tobias Ashlock interviews his mentor Tracey Schalk about navigating life with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). -
NPR's education desk experts, Steve Drummond and Janet Lee, offer advice on teaching students audio storytelling skills, including tips on equipment, editing, and more.
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Landon Keaton from Ponitz Career Tech interviews beloved author Lois Lowry about her Newbery Award-winning novel "The Giver" and the power of reading. -
Dayton High Schooler Haylie Chavez discusses being often the only Hispanic performer in southwest Ohio theater productions and the importance of representation on stage.
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A Dayton, Ohio, teen discusses how aphantasia affects her daily life, from storytelling to learning, and how she's pursuing her passion for writing despite the condition.
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Sisters Olympia and Penelope Derr created PSAs about supporting their Haitian neighbors in Springfield, OH. The PSAs encourage people to be inclusive and compassionate.
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A high school graduate and his mother open up about living with rare headache disorder SUNCT and Chiari Malformation, revealing how invisible disabilities impact families
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High school poets from Springfield School of Innovation share original works exploring deep emotions like happiness after tragedy and managing anger on WYSO Youth Radio.
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Springfield, Ohio, student poets share powerful verses on nature, love, and mental health in this moving WYSO Youth Radio episode from the School of Innovation.
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Springfield, Ohio School of Innovation student Omaria Ali uses poetry to confront racism, injustice, and inequality in this powerful WYSO Youth Radio story. Listen here.
