Plymouth-Canton Educational Park's '88.1 The Park' Receives National Recognition

PLYMOUTH-CANTON, MI — Plymouth-Canton Educational Park's student-operated radio station, 88.1 The Park, was recently nominated for a Marconi Radio Award from the National Association of Broadcasters for the third straight year. WSDP is run out of Salem High School, and is the only high school station that's ever been nominated as a Marconi finalist, The Canton Observer reports.

"It is an incredible honor when you realize that we are being recognized with college and professional stations," said John Kreger, the assistant manager and a station alumni.

The 300-watt station first started broadcasting in February of 1972, at just ten watts. WSDP receives an annual subsidy of about $110,000 from the Plymouth-Canton distract and collects around $40,000 a year from sponsors.

The Park broadcasts 24/7 and has a mix of programs and music. They play mainly Top 40 music and adult contemporary. The station runs a regular student-produced news show called "NewsFile" weekdays at 5:30 p.m., and offers sports broadcasts, live broadcasts of athletic events, and speciality music shows.

Students are given a lot of responsibility when they work at WSDP, but the benefits are plentiful. The station has launched numerous careers and gives hundreds of students thorough broadcasting experience before they go to college or the workforce.

"It's been an amazing experience to watch these students," Kreger said. "If you give students a high standard and ask them to meet it, they will."

For more on information about 88.1 The Park, check out The Canton Observer article.

Photo courtesy of Ross Murray/Flickr