Eleven new members have been added to radio station WSHJ 88.33 FM Southfield.
Station Adviser Julea Ward initially wanted only seven members to join, but took 11 due to the abundant amount of talent, she said.
WSHJ is now at its highest number of students – 31 – in the station’s 36-year history.
Ward says, “The increase in station membership is definitely a blessing. It reflects the program’s growth and students’ desire to be a part of something that requires a lot of
dedication,
hard work and critical listening skills.”
The new staff members include freshman Erica Hayes and sophomores Ishmail Ali, Kevin Brogden, Justin Johnson, Onas Moore and George L. Worthy. The juniors are Alonnis Franklin, Nikia Richardson and Cierra Ross. The one senior to enter was Brandi Hunt.
Veteran radio station staffer Jasmine Rudolph, who is a junior, says, “The station is a lot larger, and it will take a lot more organization, but we’ll make it work.”
Senior Christopher Lawrence says, “It’s too early to know” how the staff growth will affect the station because the station is still launching itself for the year.
The biggest challenge will be making sure that all staff members successfully complete their assigned tasks, Ward says. “Our checks and balances system has been tightened this year in an effort to make everyone more accountable,” Ward says.
Erica “DJ Bunny” Hayes, the only freshman on staff, told radio members at the first meeting, “ I am a proud representative of the class of 2007” and added, “I am very proud to be a part of the station because I was not put here by chance.”
Roughly 40 students interviewed to be a part of the WSHJ family, which includes both the Radio class and the club. The two run the station together.
Onas “O” Moore says that he jumped for joy when he heard of his acceptance to the radio station staff: “I am very excited that I made the club.”
The station is located in B-House.