Sailing into the Sunset

Well, the internship program is officially over. *Sniff.* I'm actually quite sad. The kids came to us clueless about radio, but they've turned into savvy young journalists who can ace interviews and turn around their edits quickly (and remember to turn their mics off during the answer portion of phone interviews - good job, Bryce & Michelle!). In short... we're really proud.

We're also proud of the 12 sharp podcasts they produced this summer! From braving haunted stores and ice cream freezers to cuddling kittens, our intrepid reporters did it all.

Here are some highlights from the LAST DAY EVER of Weekday High 2009:

-- Nathan speeds through the final edits of Podcast #12 (aka Keano Kuddles Kittens), and searches for a quality version of "American Pie" (Don McLean's song, not the movie) to end the show;

-- Molly, Artur, Beno & Lizzie chat with Steve Scher LIVE on Weekday about the program and their pieces;

-- Nathan takes photos like a proud Papa;

-- Molly is put on the spot while live on air: "ARE YOU GOING INTO JOURNALISM, LITTLE GIRL???";

-- The trauma is over! Steve signs autographs, much to Artur & Lizzie's delight. Nathan takes more photos;

-- Irene & Artur work on the WeHigh "diplomas";

-- we listen to the past week's podcasts and nearly pee in our pants laughing at Artur and Molly's embarrassing moments;

-- WeHigh collaborates with Carolyn Adolph and PIJ;

-- Irene hands out diplomas - emphasis on the handshakes - to much "Pomp & Circumstance";

-- Nathan takes photos, before handing Irene her diploma. (He didn't fail her!);

-- the laptops and kits are cleaned, velcroed up and locked away;

-- WE SAIL AWAY! (No, really. We did. On an actual boat.) Molly's Dad, Jim, takes us sailing on their sweet family boat at Shilshole. It's a lovely day... the water gleams silver, and the varying greys of silhouetted mountains rest in the background. Molly tacks & jibs & bounces around the boat barefoot. Her Dad tells plenty of great stories... and steers us around Princess Cruise Lines and mammoth-sized sea lions. Thanks again, Andersons!

-- A few group photos, many many hugs... and it's time for Nathan and Beno to race to their Sounders game.

-- Michelle forgets her bag in the trunk of Irene's car, and Keano (in true Keano style) races it back to her. By jumping a fence. And leaping off a 15-foot structure. Nearly giving Irene a heart attack.

And so, Weekday High 2009 comes to an end. Bittersweet, but oh... oh, so sweet.

It has been wonderful, darlings. You have made us all proud.

And now, to quote Artur... "I'm going to go cry myself to sleep."