Flushing 2010

The 2010 Radio Rookies Queens broadcast workshop was in partnership with the Flushing YMCA. The Queens Rookies reported stories about everything from gangs in schools, to what it’s like to have your dad deployed in Afghanistan, to being an online girl gamer. These stories received two PRNDI Awards, two NABJ Awards, a NY State Broadcasters Association Award, the United Nations Department of Public Information gold award, a New York Festivals International Radio Award, a NY State AP Broadcasters Association Award and a Gabriel Award.

About the neighborhood:

Flushing, Queens is considered the center of all things Asian, according to most of the Rookies in this workshop. There may be Korea town on 32nd street and Chinatown in downtown Manhattan, but once you step out of the last stop on the 7 train, you land on Main Street—home to multiple Asian ethnicities from Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese, to Chinese and Filipino. There are also people from European, Hispanic and African American descent residing in this multicultural neighborhood. With a population of over two million in Queens, half of whom are foreign born, Flushing helps Queens earn notoriety for being the most diverse borough in New York City.

What the Rookies have to say:

“I think that Radio Rookies is a great avenue for kids to express themselves and talk about issues that affect them and other teens. I think that Flushing is a great place to hang out and the cultures that live here are all diverse. It’s like living in Manhattan without the expensive prices.” — Melissa Best

“Flushing is a very calm, nice neighborhood. There’s never really any problems and it’s a really cool neighborhood to be in. I think Radio Rookies is a very interesting program and it’s nice to learn everything that is being taught.” — Edwin Llanos

“Flushing is awesome. I enjoy everything about it. I love Radio Rookies. I get to work with my passion, which is audio and with people and producers that are amazing and want the best for you.” —Rayon Wright

Gamun-Pyul

Monday, October 04, 2010

Though 18 year old Rayon Wright grew up surrounded with Jamaican culture and music, he wants more than anything to become a producer of Korean music and entertainment.

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The Potential Diplomat

Monday, September 20, 2010

Melissa Best always dreamed of becoming a US diplomat, but then she found out how much work it is to become one. She’s not sure she can really live up to her high–achiever persona.

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Level Up

Monday, September 27, 2010

Video games are designed primarily with boys and men in mind -- and 17-year-old Radio Rookie Jessica Cernadas finds that very frustrating.

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The ABCs of Chinese Americans

Monday, October 18, 2010

A new wave of immigrants from China is crowding Flushing Queens. The old wave is mostly from Taiwan. Helen Peng has been trying to figure out where she fits into the landscape.

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Who's Going to Protect Me?

Monday, November 01, 2010

Edwin Llanos has grown up in neighborhoods where police officers stop and search kids all the time. When Edwin got into a tough situation, he wasn't sure who to turn to.

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Interview With a Teenage Vampire

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Rookie Reporter Hawa Lee reports on the sometimes spooky connection between vampires and teenagers.

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Back to the Middle East

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Alexis Gordon's dad has been in the Army Reserves since before she was born. She is struggling to understand her dad's decision to stay in the Army and go back to the Middle East.

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Breast-Fed Language

Monday, October 11, 2010

Andrea Lee Torres'  parents came here from the Philippines in the 1990s. And she's not sure she agrees with at least one decision they made - not to teach her their language.

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