Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Area high school students appeared Saturday morning on the new KPTL radio talk show "Keep Talkin'" on Saturday morning. From left, Producer Temma Keatan, Anthony Trube, 17, of Dayton High School and Brian Grover, 16, of Virginia City High School. A number of students participated in the program which provides a forum for teens to discuss their views on topics ranging from racism to political issues.
High school students from Carson, Dayton and Virginia City went on the air Saturday for the first-ever "Keep Talkin'" call-in radio show at KPTL. They took turns talking about religion in schools, racism and teen health - with their ideas broadcast for miles.
"I think it's good because it lets people know what we're thinking about," said Brian Grover, a 16-year-old Virginia City High School student.
He and Carson High student Ashley Ensminger, 17, talked on the air about how teens don't always have a forum to discuss their problems
"A lot of kids don't know where to turn for help," Ashley said.
The radio show, which will air Saturday mornings from 9 until 10 on AM 1300, was the brainchild of producer Temma Keatan. She ran similar shows in Los Angeles and Las Vegas before moving to Virginia City recently.
"I'm really pleased and proud to be here with you guys," she told the students live on the air.
Carson High School video production teacher Brian Reedy is co-producing the show.
"My whole goal as a teacher is to give these guys a voice and get them heard," he said. "They can be so incredibly heartfelt and insightful."
Adults too often disregard the opinions of youth because they lack experience.
"But what they have inside them is so raw."
While he spoke the students got a caller.
"I hope you guys don't mind talking to a parent," said the man. He said too many teens have a poor diet and that can lead to or exacerbate acne.
"I agree with that because the healthier kids get then the better they'll look and the higher their self esteem will be," Brian said.
Ashley said she was nervous to go live on the radio at first but got used to it. She said she wants to get involved in producing movies.
"I want to get all the practice I can," she said.
"Keep Talkin'" is open to anyone between the ages of 11 and 19. The show is scheduled to run for a least 13 weeks.
"We're getting more and more people involved," said Reedy. "It'll grow."
"I think it's going to be awesome," said Anthony Trube, a 17-year-old Dayton High student who was on the air Saturday. He's looking forward to addressing issues such as teen smoking, how teachers treat students, and how students judge one another by the way they look or dress.
"At his school it's a lot of the haves and the have nots," explained his mom, Pam Trube. "They're either going around with cell phones and new cars or nothing."
To call in a question or comment to "Keep Talkin'" call 882-5785. Young people interested in being on the show should call Keatan at 847-7447.
Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
