WNYC and The Bell partner on the return of RADIO ROOKIES

The Peabody Award-winning program teaches New York high schoolers the ins and outs of journalism and radio production

(November 9, 2026 – New York, NY) WNYC and The Bell are partnering on the relaunch of Radio Rookies, the pioneering radio reporting and producing training program for young New Yorkers. Through the partnership of the nation’s largest public radio station and an organization dedicated to building the next generation of journalists and civic leaders, this revitalized program offers more students the opportunity for sustained, hands-on learning and amplifies youth voices to WNYC listeners and the general public.

“We’re thrilled to partner with The Bell to usher in a new chapter of Radio Rookies, giving more young New Yorkers the tools and platform to tell the stories that matter to them in their own voices,” said Carla Wills, Editor of Community Partnerships and Training at WNYC/Gothamist. “Young people have important perspectives on the policies and issues shaping their lives, but too often they’re left out of the conversation. Our first episode, exploring why teens feel they don’t have enough places to gather and feel welcome, is a powerful example of these perspectives. Together with The Bell, we’re investing in the next generation of journalists while bringing their stories to our listeners.”

For over 25 years, Radio Rookies has provided New York City high school students with the chance to learn about radio production and create their own segments for broadcast. The program amplifies young people’s opinions on the critical issues that affect their lives, fosters youth civic engagement and builds a pipeline for emerging journalists.

With the support of staff from WNYC and The Bell, students will lead and record roundtable discussions on the issues that most affect the lives of their peers and take their audio into the studio to transform it into broadcast-ready pieces that will air on WNYC. Over the course of a school year, students will gain firsthand experience on the reporting and production processes, making a career in journalism feel possible. 

“For nearly a decade, we have trained high school students in the audio journalism craft — positioning young people not just as subjects of stories, but authors of them,” said Taylor McGraw, Co-Founder and Executive Director at The Bell. “Partnering with WNYC to relaunch Radio Rookies is a natural fit, expanding the impact of youth-led journalism and giving young New Yorkers a direct voice in the coverage of issues shaping their lives.”

Radio Rookies segments will be heard on WNYC’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered and will be available to stream on wnyc.org. For more information, please visit https://wnyc.org/browse/shows/rookies.

Radio Rookies is supported in part by The Pinkerton Foundation, Epstein Teicher Philanthropies, and the Margaret Neubart Foundation.

The Fall 2026 cohort includes:

Ishna Ahmed is a junior at Richard R. Green High School of Teaching in the Financial District. Ishna keeps herself busy as an organizer for the NYCLU TAP program, a part-time tutor for elementary and middle school students, and a participant in her school’s 10th-grade teaching internship program. Outside of work, Ishna spends her time baking sweets with her mom, binge-watching sitcoms or scouring Barnes & Noble for her next read.

Thema Awoumbeng is a senior at KIPP NYC College Prep High School. She is a member of her school’s wrestling team, manages the boys’ soccer team and, from time to time, hosts segments for her school’s media channel. When Thema isn’t studying or sleeping, she likes to go out to eat with her friends and attend sports games. However, sometimes, she prefers to go straight home, buy Chipotle and rewatch her favorite sitcoms.

Jacob Chase is a senior at George Westinghouse High School with a strong interest in film, photography and digital art. He enjoys being creative, exploring new ideas and expressing himself through storytelling and visual art. When Jacob isn’t busy with school, he enjoys watching movies, coming up with creative ideas and working on projects that allow him to bring his imagination to life.

Sirandou Diakite is a senior at Uncommon Leadership Charter School in Brooklyn. She is an active member of her school community as a section leader in her school’s marching band and a member of the robotics club. Outside of school, she spends her time interning at libraries and giving back to her community as a youth ambassador for Project Unsilenced. On her days off, if she’s not studying or doing homework, she watches anime, attempts to read a book or works on her flexibility.

Lucia Fajardo is a junior at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. She is an active member of her school’s newspaper, orchestra, yearbook and honor society. When Lucia isn’t procrastinating or binge-watching TV shows, she loves to read, travel, watch Broadway shows and try new food spots around New York City.

Mateo Tang O’Reilly is a senior at Central Park East High School. He is an active member of his school’s debate team and a writer and editor for his school’s newspaper. Mateo spends his free time making short films, taking photos and finding new recipes to cook.

Evan Pernett is a junior at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens. He is part of his school’s journalism program and has a strong interest in journalism, podcasting, and aviation. He is passionate about learning new things, exploring new places, and using his voice to share meaningful stories. He also has a long-standing interest in aviation and hopes to pursue a career as a pilot.

Nadiyah Washington is a senior at Brooklyn Prospect High School. She is an active member of her school’s newspaper team, cheerleading team, climate and environmental club, and book club. When Nadiyah isn’t busy doomscrolling or doing homework, she loves to eat Chick-fil-A, go to the gym or rewatch Gilmore Girls.

The cohort will be supported by two college assistant student producers:

Annie He is a sophomore at Kingsborough Community College majoring in Journalism and Print Media. She is the editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, Scepter, and spends her days churning out articles for publication. Annie also works part-time at an omakase restaurant. When she isn’t pitching ideas or serving customers, she enjoys spending her days in bed, napping away and taking a break from work.

Bree Campbell is a junior at St. John’s University studying legal studies and art history. She is an alumna of The Bell’s 2023 Miseducation internship and previously co-hosted Season 4 of On Our Minds, PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ teen mental health podcast. When Bree isn’t writing papers or working at her university, you can find her playing video games, watching video essays, or spending time with her cat, Birkin!