Program seeks high school-aged teens to receive FREE training in radio
journalism and broadcasting.

Portland, October 28, 2009 # Nationally award-winning Blunt Youth
Radio is holding an Open House to recruit new high school aged
volunteers. The event takes place on Monday, November 16th from
7:00-8:30 p.m. at WMPG, Greater Portland Community Radio, 92 Bedford
Street, on the USM Portland Campus. The Open House happens during
Blunt's regular live Monday night broadcast. The show topic for the
night is "The World's Remote Places - Afghanistan." Visitors will
have the chance to see the live show and enjoy some free pizza and root
beer!

Since 1994, Blunt Youth Radio Project has brought together up to 50
teenagers from a variety of schools to produce a weekly, call-in, public
affairs radio show on WMPG-FM, 90.9 and 104.1, the non-profit, community
radio station of the University of Southern Maine. The hour-long show
features two teen hosts who interview guests on topical issues,
interspersed with public radio-style feature reports, produced by the
team's reporters.

At Blunt (think: "straightforward," "to the point,"
"frank," or "no holds barred"), our young members handle
all aspects of show production: reporting, on-air hosting, choosing
topics and locating guests, studio production, and broadcast
engineering. Work by members of Blunt has aired on Morning Edition, All
Things Considered, Maine Public Radio, This American Life, the BBC and
other shows. Find out more about Blunt at our website:
http://www.bluntradio.org.

Blunt Youth Radio equips teens with the tools and training that will
give them a voice in electronic media. Members develop critical thinking
skills and a civic-minded outlook. Our members cover important issues in
their communities ranging from elections to college costs. Blunt combats
Maine's "brain drain" problem by helping young people take an
active role in community life right here and right now!

Who should join Blunt Youth Radio Project? We are open to any
high-school aged student. Our program is low-barrier, and the only
qualification is an open mind and a commitment to show up. We encourage
young people to join as early in high school as possible. Most of our
members remain in the program for two years or more. Current and alumni
members are available for interviews this week.

Training begins soon, so we are eager to find teens to join our
program. Again, we are holding an Open House at WMPG on Monday, November
16th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.