Sitting around their microphones in a cramped booth at WMPG, a group of local high school students wait nervously until they hit the airwaves. Hannah Champange, 16, from Portland High School, and Samantha Raymond, 17, from Gorham High School, are the engineers for the show. Hurriedly they make hand signals at the hosts through a sound proof window. “Use your headphones,” Champange points. As the seconds count down until Champagne and Raymond hit the promo, the group bustles around making sure microphones are on.
The show is called Blunt, and since 1994 the group has brought local youths on air to discuss issues important to them. Conor Tubbs, 15, from South Portland High School, hosts on a regular basis. “The show is very teen oriented,” he said. Champagne agrees. “It’s about teen culture and what we want to talk about.” Recent shows include teen dating, diversity and issues of war.
Raymond gave the dirt on a recent dating show where contestants got together in the studio to win dates.
“I don’t think they went out after, though, but they got gift certificates for being on the show,” said Raymond.
Blunt has been nominated by the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. They were nominated for two Golden Reel awards for Local News and Commentary and Radio Drama. Claire Holman, adviser to Blunt, calls it a great opportunity for the group. “Our slogan is ‘youth empowerment through direct media access.'” The competition included adult professional broadcasters in competition with teens.
Blunters, as they are called, learn how to engineer, produce and host the show. They direct promos and write their own questions to ensure the quality of their show. Though the show is their own, it is not without the help of loved ones close to the Blunters. In a recent show, Tubbs’s girlfriend called in during a call-in segment of the show to ask a question.
Casey Brackett was blushing in the booth as her mom, Sandy Eustis-Brackett, called during her daughter’s appearance. The young Brackett does not share in her family’s more conservative views as she participates in local protests of the war in Iraq.
“She has her right to her opinion. I don’t agree with her position, but [Blunt] is a positive thing that she can be involved in,” said Eustis-Brackett.
Tubbs became involved in Blunt in June 2002 when former Blunters came to his high school and talked of the show. Tubbs, sporting flourescent pink hair and socks on his arms, had a change of heart in his career choices.
“I used to be involved in theater all the time and I thought I wanted to do that for college.” he said. “Now I’m thinking the media is where I want to be.”
Blunt is hosting live radio entertainment on March 7 as a benefit for their trip to the national conference. The show, called “Youth Voices Live on Stage,” will include topics such as “Dealing with Parents,” “Growing Up,” and “An Incarcerated Youth Calls Home.”
Blunt brings teen voices to the airwaves in hopes of making teenagers see their voices can be heard.
“I want people to listen to the show and think, ‘Wow, that kid sure has a lot of opinions.'” Tubbs said.