Students in the School Radio Quest leveled-up this spring as their classroom extended beyond Principia School’s 360-acre campus and into the world of professional broadcasting.
Hubble Interactive, home to channels like ESPN, KSHE (KSHE 95 Real Rock Radio), and WARH (106.5 The Arch), hosted the group and pulled back the curtain on some behind-the-scenes know-how from voices that run the shows.
Watching live shows and gaining first-hand knowledge from the pros themselves, students got an inside look at the real world of radio. From live broadcasts and podcasts to professional commercial voice-over artists, they gained wisdom and advice they could never get from a textbook.
“It was like watching the theory we’d talked about in class come to life,” said Quest leader and Spanish teacher Paula Figueroa. “And it hit them—it’s not just about talking into a mic. It’s a craft.”
From green screens and soundboards to mics and on-air mannerisms, the students got a front-row seat to the inner workings of professional radio. DJs kept the mood light, joking with students and walking them through the set-up—but when the “ON AIR” sign lit up, it was all business. They watched the hosts seamlessly shift from casual conversation, to donning their headphones and using a deeper “radio voice” to deliver a polished broadcast. Figueroa said, “As soon as the ‘ON AIR’ sign lit up, the students went completely silent. You could tell they understood the gravity of it.”
Back at school, those insights paid off during the students’ weekly Principia Radio Network (PRN) broadcast. They ran the setup, lighting, mics, and transitions like the pros, with increasing independence and ownership. They used fewer scripts (relying instead on bullet points), projected their voices with confidence, articulated clearly, and most importantly, enjoyed the spontaneity of going live.
As PRN continues to grow, its campus following is expanding as well, with students eager to try their hand at live streaming. PRN continues to build a robust team to go live next year, with plans expanding beyond Ridgway Auditorium to include broadcasting athletic games, live concerts, and school band performances. More importantly, thoughts of budding careers in media and communications are percolating. And while not everyone will pursue a career in broadcasting professionally, they have already gained the skills that create success in any venture—professionalism, collaboration, creativity, and fun!
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