Espanola High School's Spartan Youth Radio
Podcast Provides a Mix of Entertainment and Awareness of Issues
May 4, 2009
Spartan Youth Radio is the only high school in Canada to have a student-run podcast available to listeners. It started out as a half an hour podcast but now, "We've started to do what is called a buffet style," says teacher Jayson Stewart in an interview, which was held on April, 23. Listeners can now just click on what they want to hear, whether it is entertainment, music or techno information, culture or stories about school life.
Spartan Youth Radio Staff
Spartan Youth Radio is run by ten students who consistently make contributions to putting together a show, but in total there are about 40 students who are involved, with six executives.
“We act as a team voice,” says student Madeline Lemire, during the same interview.
Funding for Spartan Youth Radio
The school did receive approximately $3000 from the Rainbow District School Board’s Innovation Fund to help the students begin producing the podcast. The funds were used to purchase equipment and provide training.
They are now self-funded and “Always looking for sponsors,” says Stewart. The students also hold fundraising events such as tournaments to raise funds. There is also a store available to students, which also helps with raising funds.
Guests of Spartan Youth Radio
In addition to interviewing staff and students of EHS, the students also have the opportunity to interview well-known and up-and-coming artists. Some of their favourite interviews include:
- Plex- Musician
- Shirley Cheechoo-Director
- Carol Hughes-Local MP
In addition to these guests, the students are also eagerly awaiting an interview with the leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May, have recently done an interview with Canadian Idol Judge, Jake Gold and will be interviewing author Margaret Atwood in September. The students who are consistently involved in putting together the podcast hope that they will stay involved in related fields as a career.
Opportunities for Spartan Youth Radio Students
The students are very glad to be involved in the production of Spartan Youth Radio. “It has been a great experience for us all,” says Lemire. “It has been the highlight of our high school career.”
Last year the students also had the opportunity to be a part of an episode of CBC Radio’s Spark.
"It was great opportunity for the students to get some national coverage," says Stewart.
With Spartan Youth Radio, the students and their teacher to help put the school "On the map a bit more and celebrate the culture we have here."
Listen to Spartan Youth Radio
To listen, visit to Spartan Youth Radio. There is also a Talk Back line available where listeners can leave messages about what is on their minds or leave comments on what they have heard. Listeners who would like to do so, can call (705) 869-1590 extension 6264.
Spartan Youth Radio Now on YouTube
Spartan Youth Radio now has a station on YouTube and Stewart says they are "Finding that it has opened new doors for us, in that, we are converting some of our shows to slideshows and hope to branch off into video early next year. Like Facebook, MySpace, Ning and Twitter, it's another way for the students to use new media to get their ideas out there."
Stewart shares the same hope of the students remaining in the communications field, but if they don't, he says, "They can still take some of the skills (wherever they go) and they are still building a portfolio."
Spartan Youth Radio is unique in that is a one of a kind, student led pod-cast that provides Espanola High School students the opportunities to learn about this new technology, interview well-known and up-and-coming artists, and help put their school on the map.
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