BEATRICE, Neb. - A radio station and high school in Southeast Nebraska are combining two valuables in experience and education.

KWBE radio in Beatrice has been working with Beatrice High School to give students from a journalism class hands on experience to host a live, weekly radio show.

“This is a program that KWBE and BHS administration talked about a few months ago, about the idea of giving students an opportunity to learn about radio and journalism,” Dave Niedfelt, KWBE Program Director said. “Putting together a script, putting together a program, and doing an interview, so that’s where we’re at now.”

Dave Niedfelt is the Program Director KWBE and lends a helping hand each week, producing the show. But everything heard on air, is up to the students. 

The idea for the program began when KWBE General Manager Brad Achtemeier heard of a similar program in an Omaha school district at a broadcasting convention. After conversations with BHS, the program was off and running, as part of a journalism class. Journalism and English Teacher Kathryn Glenn said students’ preparation for the show, even before the usual script construction and lining up of interviews, began long before the microphone was first turned on.

“They were excited and we listened to KWBE ahead of time in class,” Glenn said. “I think a lot of kids listen to music, but maybe not the radio as much anymore so it was fun and educational to listen to our local station.”

The show consists of typical radio duties like transitioning in and out of songs, selecting the songs to play, and also includes a weekly interview segment each week. Niedlfelt says these types of opportunities are important for the station to strengthen their community ties.

“The idea of letting these students come in and talk about the activities they’re involved with in the school and the successes happening at the high school right now,” Niedflet said. “I love the idea, I’m excited about it, and I think there’s a lot of potential for this show down the road.”

Every time someone goes on the air for the first time, there’s sure to be some butterflies. Niedfelt says students are brought in about 15 minutes ahead of show time to adjust to the studio and get familiar with the microphone before going on air. But once that magic button gets pressed, things have gone well.

“They’ve done really well,” Niedfelt said. “Now, anytime you put a microphone in front of someone, everybody gets nervous, whether you’re a student or an adult, but these students have done really well.”

Through the show, students are getting valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom.

Something Glenn says is crucial.

“I think when you make education more relevant to students and they can see how they use what they learn in the classroom out in the real world, I think it’s really important.”

Two more episodes of the BHS radio show can be heard at 3:30 the next two Wednesday’s in May.