KLUB Comes to the Club
Broadcasting live, it’s the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale! As the first Boys & Girls Club to have its own KidStar radio station, the Lehi Branch is a trendsetter in creating unique opportunities to engage its members. The Club received a portion of funds raised during the 2004 Pro Players Classic Golf Tournament to launch the station. Pro Players Classic is an organization created to raise funds for youth in Native American communities nationwide.
Club members are excited about the chance to be involved in KidStar radio. They welcome the station as a unique opportunity to display their creativity. Tiyanna, a youth broadcaster, noted, “I like being on air…the Radio Club helps me to express my feelings.” The radio station is especially exciting for music lovers at the Club. Willis, another youth broadcaster, said that his interest in music inspired him to get involved with KidStar.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is especially grateful for the opportunity to expose its members to the world of radio. Through this program, youth have been able to expand their horizons and develop new skills. Emily, one of the youth broadcasters, said, “I’m getting to meet new people on the interviews that I get to do. I get to go places that normal 5th and 6th graders don’t get to go to like the [Mark Grace] Celebrity Golf Invitational. [The program] helps me to speak better, more slowly, and to pronounce the words.” Club members have had the opportunity to interview prominent celebrities, including former baseball star Mark Grace and Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic.
Club staff members believe that on-air broadcasting and production are creative ways in which youth can develop their confidence and self-esteem. Brian Yazzie, Director of Native American Services, commented, “The program is about giving kids an opportunity to find their hidden talents. Introducing a program that will give kids a chance to experience a professional field like broadcasting opens many opportunities in the field of communications. KidStar Radio is a wonderful program that has helped our kids with their self-confidence, and with that newfound confidence it will help each of them as they grow into adulthood.”
Professional broadcaster Perry Damone founded KidStar Radio Corporation in 1994 to actualize his desire to train elementary school youth to run their own radio stations at school. Since its beginning, KidStar stations have evolved to incorporate technology that allows them to be heard through broadband Internet connections. By the year 2014, KidStar hopes to have 5,000 stations established in schools, Clubs, and youth organizations across the country.
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