A new podcast project at the school is giving students a chance to talk about issues that matter to them and share their experiences with others.
The project allows students to record and produce their own podcast episodes about various topics such as school life, mental health, personal challenges, etc.
The podcast series was introduced with support from Connect With Kids (also known as Story Truths) and The Thrive Collective. The project is meant to help students express themselves while also learning communication and media skills.
According to Connect With Kids’ lead instructor, Coles Prince, podcasting gives people the chance to share stories that others may not usually hear.
“I think podcasts are important because they give people the opportunity to tell their stories and share their experiences,” Prince said. “It gives audience members the opportunity to be exposed to something that maybe they wouldn’t have before.”
Prince said the project was created to give students the opportunity to speak openly about their lives and connect with others in the school community.
“I think what it really is about is giving students the opportunity to tell their story in a way that maybe they would not have been given before,” Prince said. “It’s a way to build community and understand each other on a deeper level.”
Students involved in the project say podcasting can make it easier to share ideas compared to traditional school assignments. Senior Ray Capitulo said listening to a podcast can sometimes feel simpler than reading an article.
“Some people just don’t like reading articles… listening is more digestible in a way,” Capitulo said.
Capitulo also said hearing someone’s voice can create a stronger connection between the speaker and the listener.
“Hearing your voice gives more of an impact,” Capitulo said.
She also added that the podcast could help students talk about deeper topics and better understand each other’s feelings.
“I want to get on the deeper level. I want to see how people feel about certain things,” Capitulo said.
Business teacher Elizabeth Petrillo said the project was created to give students a space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
“The goal is to give the students a voice,” Ms. Petrillo said. “This is an outlet for [students in the program] to be heard.”
Prince also said working on the podcast will help students develop useful skills that go beyond school life.
“Everything from communication skills, teamwork skills, and problem solving skills,” Prince said.
He added that creative projects like podcasting are important because they allow students to express themselves and feel more connected to their community.
As the podcast project continues, teachers and students hope the series will encourage more students to share their voices and perspectives with their peers and their teachers.
“This is all about becoming good citizens and being able to impact our community for a positive change. And I think giving students the opportunity to express themselves and show that creativity is just sort of one step in that direction,” Prince said.