AAPS/A2A Press Release: 10/18/07

                 AnnArborAlive.com Partners with Ann Arbor Public Schools
                                    to Develop Student Internet Radio

Ann Arbor, MI— AnnArborAlive.com, a local non-profit recently named Ann Arbors’ official internet radio station by mayoral proclamation whose mission is to promote Ann Arbor Area culture over the Web, has partnered with Ann Arbor Public Schools to develop a student-run radio station at Huron High School. The station, WRAT, is intended as a pilot program for eventual district-wide internet radio at high school and middle school levels. Support for the project will come from parent, community, and district fundraising efforts, as well as sponsorships.

AnnArborAlive Executive Director Jim “Griff” Griffin explains: “Advances in internet technology make community broadcasting more affordable and accessible than ever before. AnnArborAlive wants to expose students to these new media possibilities by giving them a platform to operate their own station featuring their own programing. ”

“This partnership has unlimited potential to offer Huron students fantastic, real world broadcasting opportunities,” said Robert Fox, Huron’s TV/Radio teacher. “My students are very eager to jump right into the world of Internet radio broadcasting, which is no doubt the future of radio.”

Equipment for Huron’s radio studio was purchased with grants awarded through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Education Foundation and the Huron High School PTSO.

WRAT, also known as River Rat Radio, will webcast pre-recorded, live, and automated programs aimed toward the Huron High listening community. Programming will be developed within the school’s Television/Radio curriculum, and include live broadcasts of campus and off-campus school events, student-hosted shows, and commentary by parents and faculty.

River Rat Radio will air its first broadcast during the 2007 winter term, and can be heard at www.annarboralive.com/wrat. For more information, please contact Jim Griffin at wrat@annarboralive.com or Robert Fox at foxr@aaps.k12.mi.us

About AnnArborAlive

AnnArborAlive is a non-profit organization using new media technology to promote the culture, knowledge base, and business community of the Ann Arbor Area. Working in partnership with local artists, content producers, businesses, and organizations, AnnArborAlive offers a strong internet presence featuring extensive web-streaming capabilities meant to improve media access for the community and market its’ content over the web.

Partners, Sponsors, and Supporters of AnnArborAlive include the Office of the Mayor, the Michigan Theatre, The Ark, Kerrytown Concert House, The Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Observer, Current Magazine, Main Street Area Association, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, People’s Food Coop, Ten Thousand Villages, Herb David Guitar Studio, Oz’s Music, Assistivemedia.org, and the Arena Sports Bar.

For more information, visit www.annarboralive.com.