Simi Valley High School student co-hosts teen talk show
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Lauren Levy rules the air waves every Tuesday night when the Simi Valley High School junior co-hosts the Internet radio teen-talk show “Welcome to My Life.”

The show is carried at www.tropicwaveradio.net on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Up for discussion are frank topics of interest to teens—school violence, underage drinking, body piercing, sex and their parents.

“I think it’s a great learning experience, honestly, because it challenges me every week to think about these topics,” said the 16year-old student.

When family friend Vickie Travis last year asked Lauren to cohost the talk show with her granddaughter, Rosemary Travis Fisher, 15, the speech and debate club president jumped at the chance despite her demanding schedule.

“Writing and speaking—those are my two passions,” Lauren said.

Vickie Travis is moderator of their talk show and hosts her own show, which airs just ahead of the

Psychologist John Riolo joins them for the weekly discussions.

Although the show is carried over the Internet—making it possible to access it from a computer anywhere in the world—there aren’t many callers yet. “Welcome” is still building a following.

But Peter Kawaja, the show’s producer and general manager of Tropic Wave radio station in Florida, is confident that wilchange. He said school districts in Florida are showing interest and so are two television stations, although he declined to say which ones.

“I think what we’re doing is kind of unique, giving parents and school children a way to meet on common ground,” he said. “The show gives a voice to teens. It brings teens and parents together.”

Internet radio appears to be the perfect medium for such candid communication. Kawaja said the Internet offers anonymity that’s similar to e-mail, where people often reveal things about themselves they never would share in a faceto-face conversation, so teens feel free to open up and say what’s on their mind without fear of reprimand.

“We’re getting the inside scoop from the horse’s mouth uncensored . . . from their heart,” he said.

Lauren squeezes in time for the one-hour show among many other activities. In addition to the show, which debuted in December, and school, Lauren works a part-time job and is involved in a number of extra-curricular activities, such as student government, the drama and debate clubs and mock trials.

She’s won awards for volunteer work at the Boys & Girls Club and maintains a high grade point average while on the track team. Lauren also takes advanced placement classes, which means more-thanthe-usual load of rigorous homework.

After graduating from high school, she wants to attend UC Santa Barbara and then law school.

To join the online discussion, visit www.tropicwaveradio.net and call (888) 762-8153, ext. 897.