LaGRANGE, IL (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - WLTL at Lyons Township High School has been around since 1968, but now the 24-hour music station has landed on one of the largest audio platforms in the world.
"We have always wanted to do what's best for our students and get them the biggest and best opportunities they can. We just asked. We'd like to have more ability to stream our station to listeners anywhere. We applied and the company realized this isn't a typical high school radio station," said Chris Thomas, faculty advisor, WLTL.
"To the best of our knowledge, we are the only high school run radio station on a worldwide platform," he smiled.
Thomas said the radio broadcasting class has evolved significantly over the years.
"We adjusted with equipment. Now we have a dedicated podcast studio, we do blog posts, we do more online posting, things we weren't doing 10-15 years ago when I first started this."
Thomas also teaches radio and television and media classes.
"It's interesting teaching radio in this day and age because I feel like I'm training these students for a job that doesn't exist yet. We don't know what it's going to look like 4-8 years from now when these kids get into the workplace," said Thomas.
Junior Matthew Walsh is the Music Director of WLTL. He said the opportunity, the training, the experience and the exposure is not lost on him.
"It's pretty surreal that we're on a worldwide app. That's insane. We're so excited. We can be heard by millions of new listeners. They have access to our station, not just within our community. We're excited that our content can be heard by so many people." Walsh said
"It prepares me as a leader. I help organize fundraisers. It also gives me communication skills and I talk to people from around the nation about music. It's a really cool experience."
The station format is predominantly music and students help program its lineup.
"I knew I liked music, but I had no concept or idea about broadcasting or any form of media. I just knew I liked music and then getting into this really helped introduce me to my passion," said senior Maggie Franz.
Franz is attending Marquette University next year and hoping to get into the digital side of communication.
"I've learned so much about what it takes to run a radio station. It's been such a wonderful experience. Knowing I have the opportunity to find my passion over many other kids at other schools is awesome." she said.
The non-profit radio station relies heavily on public and alumni support.
"We have alumni who donate either money back or equipment. It's a pretty strong alumni base. 54 years on the air, our alumni remember they got their start here and are very supportive here." said Thomas.
Senior Dailey Newcomb says she found radio and broadcasting by chance.
"I was trying out all the school clubs. I wanted an on-air show. I ended up putting on the show with Maggie. I just kind of never gave up on WLTL from there. I was always a writing kid. I didn't think I could have a hand in being the voice or face of anything. WLTL gave me the confidence to kind of go on air and say my name is Dailey and I have stuff to say." she said.
Thomas said with technology and the industry ever changing, his program prepares the students for the real world and eventually a real job.
"Once they get here, they realize there are so many potential paths, oh I can do things like writing, like news, like promotions and marketing, even technology and engineering. I really think the music is what draws them in," said Thomas.
WLTL also broadcasts high school sports and the students cover news events. Thomas said going “global” is something that is exciting and historical.
"We have a lot of awards, we have a lot of stuff but it's not about us winning, it’s about building the future for the kids who are working here. So, they are able to say for scholarships, for internships and that they've been on a nationally award winning high school radio station that is heard worldwide on the Audacy app.
"When Mr. T told us about being on the Audacy app, I saw all the other cool stations on the app. I saw that there wasn't one other high school radio station on there. I think that's really big for us." smiled Newcomb.
"Radio as we know it may be different, but the medium of spoken, messaging and word and music isn't going away any time soon, in my opinion. Podcasting and streaming is growing. Now that we're on the Audacy app, we're worldwide. I see radio changing, I don't see radio dying, I see it growing actually," said Thomas.
You can listen to WLTL below:
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