This week we hand over the mic to high school journalists as part of KQED’s Youth Takeover. They tackle some taboo topics around health and wellness - things we don’t usually hear on the radio. Seventeen-year-old Autumn Sivadd co-hosts with Sasha Khokha, from KECG at El Cerrito High School, one of only a few hundred high schools around the state with its own radio station.
When Your Best Friend is Pregnant at 15
Carina Burruel is a senior at Lincoln High School in San Francisco. She tells us about her childhood best friend, and the moment their relationship changed forever.
No, You Don't Have to Talk to That Stranger at Your Local Coffee Shop to Be Polite
Teenage girls often feel pressured to act politely in uncomfortable – and sometimes even dangerous – situations. Reporters Taila Lee and Chloe Postlewaite are juniors at Woodside High School in San Mateo County. Their story starts at a place where a lot of teenagers hang out.
‘I’m Always Tired.’ Navigating High School on Barely Any Sleep
Some teenagers say they need a boost of caffeine to get them through the packed lives they lead – the long days at school, all those extracurricular activities, the hours of homework. Santa Clara High School student Vincent Nguyen shares a story about how little sleep he gets, and how it’s impacting his life and health.
From Harmful Dieting to Embracing ‘Body Positivity’
Bishop O'Dowd High School student Jeneva Toolajian was caught in a cycle of dieting and self-loathing. She describes how her life changed when she learned about "health at every size," and discovered a passion for social justice.
My Natural Hair Journey
El Cerrito High School senior – and Youth Takeover Co-Host – Autumn Sivadd, talks about harmful beauty standards, and her journey toward embracing and celebrating her natural hair.
Living in Two Worlds, Eating in One: Growing Up in a Multicultural Kitchen
Kurtis Chan, a senior at Lincoln High School in San Francisco, says he navigates relationships with his immigrant and American-born relatives differently. He talks about his quest to get closer to his family’s roots through food.
Cooking With Kenny: How I Got Passionate About Making Food
Lincoln High School senior Kenny Yang says he used to only enjoy eating food, not cooking it. Now he experiments with dishes and impresses his friends, and he’s passionate about his new hobby.