Alamo radio, journalism students visit Hopi High

Hopi High radio class president Traci Talahytewa welcomes D.J. Jade, producer of the radio show at Alamo Community School (Photo by Stan Bindell/NHO).

Hopi High radio class president Traci Talahytewa welcomes D.J. Jade, producer of the radio show at Alamo Community School (Photo by Stan Bindell/NHO).

POLACCA-Five radio/journalism students and three chaperones from Alamo Community School observed the Hopi High radio and journalism classes last week.

The Alamo Community School entourage watched the Hopi High Teen Show on Thursday and visited with the Hopi High journalism students on Friday.

The Hopi High Teen Show is a live remote from the radio room at Hopi High where Hopi High radio students interview other students, teachers, coaches, administrators and community members.

During this past radio show's edition, students interviewed Hopi Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Battalion Commander Leandra Calnimptewa, substance abuse prevention counselor Lynn Root and Alamo Community School radio/journalism student Lilly Apachito.

The interviews were performed by Hopi High radio students Stephanie Wing, Austin Coochyamptewa and Faith Gonnie. Paul Quamahongnewa provided the community calendar, Traci Talahytewa gave the outtro and Kyi David served as the producer.

Davis Maho served as the program manager for the show.

The Alamo Community School radio/journalism students also toured KUYI, the Hopi community radio station. Apachito was joined by fellow radio/journalism students Gerianne Sandoval, Courtney Herrera, Dinelda Guerro and Weylin Apachito in observing the teen show.

Emily Eddy, journalism/radio teacher at Alama Community School, wanted to see what another high school radio and journalism program does. She was joined by KABR Station Manager Sarah Apache and radio producer D.J. Jade.

KABR is owned by Alama Community School and is located across the street from the classrooms. They have a radio program for the elderly and another Sesame type radio program for the tykes.

The school is located four hours from Hopi High School on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

"It was cool being on the radio," Apachito said about her interview.

Eddy said Apachito was obviously nervous about being on the radio as she constantly looked at Jade for cues.

"She was scared," Eddy said about Apachito.

Eddy said her students are afraid of going on the air and hopes to get them over that shyness.

Apachito said radio can be used to help tribes retain their language and culture. She said most students will listen to the radio if they talk about subjects that teens want to talk about.

Apachito said Alamo Community School is a lot smaller than Hopi High School. The school is for kindergarten through 12th graders. The school offers some after-school activities, but she wishes that they offered more.

Apachito said 95 percent of the students at her school speak Navajo. She said the school is more remote than Hopi as they have to travel 30 miles to get food and 60 miles to purchase clothing.

Eddy added that teachers have to travel 30 miles to get to the post office.

The Hopi High School radio class is raising funds to attend the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in March.

Checks can be made out to the Hopi High Radio Class and sent to Hopi High, P.O. Box 337, Keams Canyon, AZ, 86034.

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