Short Wave Workshop 2008
Presidential Election
October 30, 2008

This fall, Radio Rookies held a month-long Short Wave Workshop in partnership with the Mott Haven Village Prep School in the South Bronx. The students selected topics related to the 2008 presidential election, and then, after learning how to use the recording equipment and the fundamentals of interviewing, they headed out into the school hallways and the streets of their neighborhood to speak to their classmates and people in their neighborhood about the presidential race. Their stories debut here on the Radio Rookies website.

New Voters
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Even though Victoria is too young to vote in the 2008 presidential election, like a lot of young people, the race has sparked a growing curiosity in her about politics. And she's learning about the political process in her government class. Her classmate Juan Medina is old enough to register to vote, but he's not sure he wants to get involved. Hear how Victoria tries to convince him otherwise.

Reporter: Victoria Cruz
Production Assistance: Juan Medina
Produced by Mikkel Clausen

Something Positive
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Sharee Johnson is huge Barack Obama supporter (she has four Obama buttons on her school bag) and thinks he's a great role model for everyone. But in her neighborhood a lot of teenagers drop out of high school and wind up in trouble. So she wanted to find out: will Barack Obama, the first African-American presidential nominee, inspire young African-Americans and other minorities to stay in school? And does his success signal the end of racism in America?

Reporter: Sharee Johnson
Produced by Josh Gleason

To Vote or Not to Vote
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In the South Bronx, where Miguelina "Erikka" Diaz lives, she's heard a lot of people complain about the government. But many of them don't vote, even this year, when so many parents and teachers and activists are working hard to get out the vote. It just doesn't make sense to Erikka, so she goes out into the streets of her neighborhood to talk to people.

Reporter: Miguelina "Erikka" Diaz
Production Assistance: Shavonne Reed
Produced by Posey Gruener

The Iraq War
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The next American president will take on the responsibility of presiding over two wars and a thinly stretched military. Rookie Reporter Chris Matos ventured out into his Bronx neighborhood to see how the military factors into voters' decision-making this election. Chris had a very personal interest in the topic—he was planning to enlist in the Marines on his 17th birthday.

Reporter: Chris Matos
Production Assistance: Martha Lopez
Produced by Jen Poyant