WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

New Season of Youth Voices

For the past few years our “Youth Voices” reporters have been producing pieces under the guidance of WAMU reporters and a group of mentors. Here's the deal - we hand the microphone over to DC high school students, they come up with the story pitches and then record and produce the pieces.

Today we launch a new season of WAMU’s “Youth Voices” - - throughout the month of July we’ll be playing back the results. Our first feature finds a college-bound student dealing with an admittedly wonderful problem.

About 55 percent of black high school graduates go onto college, according to the most recent statistics from the Department of Education. That’s compared to about 64 percent of white students. Of those African-American students who do enroll, only about 40 percent will graduate within six years. Youth Voices reporter Andre Rosario received multiple college acceptance letters… and knows he’s lucky to be scratching his head over a choice among schools. But he also knows he needs to choose wisely.

Women's Soccer

In the spirit of local soccer legend Mia Hamm, dozens of amateur women’s teams play their hearts out in organized tournaments around the region. For some women, the games are a chance to shake off the week’s worries and just play ball. But for those who grew up in countries where women’s soccer was not encouraged, the games are a chance to fulfill a lifelong passion. WAMU’s Sarah Hughes has more.

WAMU’s Mariana Eberle helped report this story.

Why Bicycles Belong

Last week on the show we aired a commentary by Marvin Kalb that expressed frustration with bicycles on DC roads. Well, the reaction from bicycle enthusiasts in the region was swift and unrelenting – we’re just starting to crawl out from under the e-mails and phone messages. Here today with a response is Eric Gilliland, Executive Director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

George Washington's Obsession with the Potomac

If you visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate 16 miles south of DC, be sure to take a look out back… and you’ll see what George Washington saw. The Potomac River, wide and curving and deep and just waiting to be exploited - - - an 18th century version of an interstate highway if only someone had the drive to make it happen. A new book, "The Grand Idea – George Washington’s Potomac and the Race to the West," makes it clear that Washington WAS a driven man. WAMU’s Sam Litzinger spoke with author Joel Achenbach about our first president’s big plans for the Potomac.

Follow the Bottles

OK, so you recycle. You save your bottles and cans, you separate newspapers from junk mail. But do you ever wonder where all that stuff you put in the recycling bin goes after the trucks take it away from the curb? WAMU’s Susan Goodman went to Montgomery County’s recycling center in Rockville to find out.

Theatre Review

The late Arthur Miller’s most enduring plays depict the American dream and the lengths to which ordinary people will go to achieve it. Such is the case with “All My Sons,” Miller’s first major Broadway hit, which opened in 1947. The play has been a staple of regional theatres for nearly half a century and is currently receiving its latest revival at the Quotidian Theatre Company in Bethesda. Metro Connection’s theatre critic, Bari Biern, has a review.

Performances run thorough July 10th at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda. For more information call 301-816-1023.

Nature with Mark Garland

Many of nature’s creatures have been given short-hand descriptions to supposedly suit their personalities – the noble eagle, the sly fox, and the beautiful butterfly. But nature is never that simple. Metro Connection’s Nature Editor Mark Garland focuses on one of our favorite summertime insects today – the butterfly. And he doesn’t always paint a pretty picture. We met Mark in a meadow in Rock Creek Park… where the birds, bees, beetles and butterflies were all on display in abundance.

Fireworks Envy in Montgomery County

Just like in Baltimore City and Prince George's... in Montgomery County all fireworks are illegal. That can make the 4th of July weekend a trying time for a self-confessed fireworks junkie like writer Melissa Jordan. And don't get her started on the barbeques.

Melissa Jordan is a writer living in Bethesda.