C2 Pipeline site coordinator Desmond Weems brought the HSPN (High School Podcast Network) to King. Students learned different skills to maybe run their own podcast.
“The program is student-led,” Weems said. “I teach them how to set up and break down the equipment, research interview questions and their guests, and the structure of a professional podcast. They create everything else. Their podcast name, theme of show, podcast topics, and everything else their show needs.”
Students who participate in the podcast can have the chance to use their voice. A podcast can be a huge responsibility just for one person, so students coming together to talk about topics of necessity can be beneficial.
“Every podcast has its own journey,” Weems said. “Every voice that’s heard has the ability to affect some type of change in every listener. A student can only be themselves if you give them the opportunity. I allow them the space to be themselves and to elevate their peers.”
Junior Ja’lynn Gilkey is the youth action council and social media ambassador for the podcast. She said she enjoys being part of the podcast and being the voice of reason for her peers.
“I feel good when I speak on certain topics because I’ve come a long way from those topics and things that have happened to me,” Gilkey said. “Touchy topics don’t make me lose professionalism because I don’t want to make the interviewee uncomfortable and so I try to hold my composure.”
It is a place for the youth to be his or herself, regardless of if they are new to the school or not. Junior Zahreea Davis has been a part of C2 for a year and she has a spot on the team as the social media ambassador as well.
Even when they are put in awkward positions, they continue to choose professionalism and respect over their own personal feelings. That makes the podcast unique and different in its own way.
“Our podcast makes me feel like I can express myself. When it comes to certain topics, we can all give our opinions without being judged,” Davis said.
