Across the nation, a constant battle rages throughout high school classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias. No, it is not bullies punching nerds for milk money or the jocks hazing the freshmen. The war is between high school administrations versus the students. The two rarely live symbiotically or even come together to solve the strife. However, on our own school campus, WPAA and the administration have been working closely to enhance the radio station. In the past, WPAA was bradcasted exclusivley on terrestrial radio for the public to hear. However, an Andover town resident reported one particular show involving PA students and non-students for broadcasting vulgarities and obscenities. Unfortunately, in the spring term of 2002-2003, the school administration pulled the plug. The station is currently on the intranet, which only PA students can access with a username and password. The listener base has shrunk, because only those with access to PANET can listen to WPAA. Since the incident, WPAA has overcome the setback and the past board’s top priority has been to regain access to public airwaves. The new 2006-2007 board has discussed new methods to achieve their goals. Head of Station Development Charles Francis ’07 says, “Our biggest goal is to improve the quality of the programming. Then, and only then, will we consider moving towards more public mediums like the internet.” Although WPAA has not gotten permission to change to the Internet, the administration is working to expand WPAA to parents of students and alumni. The administration has also recognized that with more listeners, programming will have the room to develop and strengthen. Shows like “The Progressive Mind,” hosted by Alexander Heffner ’08, have already proved successful. This term, Heffner’s show features a series of congressional candidates chatting with him to discuss their candidacies and the critical issues facing America. The two variables are directly proportional. If WPAA can gain more listeners through the intranet, then more prominent guests are likely to appear. Furthermore, Mike Jiang ’07 has also taken great strides with his show “Sportsnet Radio.” Some of Jiang’s greatest guests include Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, and PA alum Buzz Bissinger ‘72, the author of Friday Night Lights and one of America’s greatest sports writers. If allowed, Sportsnet Radio might even get some locker-room interviews with Red Sox players and even the NFL draft. Jiang says “The show is just my chance to talk about something I love, that something being sports. I feel productive when I do it for WPAA.” “This year’s board is a very ambitious bunch,” says Alexander Heffner ’08. “Along with improving its programming, WPAA’s new board also wants to enhance the station’s listenability and accessibility to the PA community.” The board has spoken to the administration about tentative plans to set up speakers where students normally congregate. In the future, students may hear WPAA in the GW mailroom, Commons, or an area of the library. In effect, this will create a better integration of WPAA and the community. Another important goal for WPAA is to seek a variety of radio personalities. “WPAA is such a different and unique experience that we just want to share with all students,” says Francis. The new spring term line up is a healthy mix of long-standing and fresh shows hosted by old and young students. WPAA is also trying to broaden its range of in-house broadcast content. A late night Jazz hour and several game-show concepts are in the works. The new and determined WPAA board has already showed progress and promise with their innovative ideas. These ideas are already making great sound waves. Hopefully they can make their way out of the Morse basement expanding to the rest of the school campus and into the world.
