Colorado Students Take to the Airwaves

Magic 93.1 FM's phone lines light up every Tuesday night. Youths from around the station's Grand Junction, Colo., studio call in to voice opinions on the youth-run talk-radio show "Operation P.A.C.T."

The idea for P.A.C.T. (Perceptions Actively Changed by Teens) was hatched three years ago when a group of "A" students from Central High School were harassed by adults for loitering in a parking lot. They realized the community had negative perceptions of teens, and decided to make their voices heard. The students organized and planned the service-learning project and found an enthusiastic partner in Magic 93.1.

Each week, two students serve as the show's program managers. They identify the anchors, set up trainings and discussion groups, and act as advisors to the on-air talent. Using skills learned in civics and social studies classes, the anchors select a topic that is relevant to young people or the community, get it approved by the radio station, do background research, and facilitate the show. Topics covered on the show range from drug and alcohol abuse to the things youths see as positive influences on their life.

"Everyone who has been involved with P.A.C.T. has come away with a new understanding of the great things youths can do in their communities," says Central High School student and P.A.C.T. Executive Heather Ahuero.

In addition to the weekly radio show, P.A.C.T. participants run a two-day leadership conference for middle school youths, giving the Central High School students an opportunity to mentor their younger counterparts.

For their outstanding work, the youths of P.A.C.T. received the 2004 State Farm® Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Award.