88.1 the Park Auditions – Applications Due Friday, September 25, 2026 by 11:59 P.M.
P-CCS high school students have the chance to join the staff of one of the country’s best high school radio stations. 88.1 The Park is accepting applications for new staff members during our fall 2026 application period which will close on Friday September 25, 2026. Applications are open to students at both P-CEP and Starkweather Academy.
Staff members have the opportunity to work in all areas of the station’s operation including as a DJ, Sports Announcer, Promotions Assistant, Music Staff Member, News Anchor and Production Assistant. They gain experience that will prepare them for careers in media, as well as other fields. Staff members will develop business skills that will stick with them for a lifetime.
The station will host an informational meeting on Zoom on Wednesday September 16, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity for interested students and their parents to learn more about the station and the commitment expectations. Participants will also receive audition tips. The meeting link is https://pccsk12.zoom.us/j/82490703547?pwd=Wmn72yslVVcJW29wbhyFJYh5VVMwIY.1
Students wishing to apply for an audition must complete both the Pre-Audition Application AND obtain recommendations from two authority figures in their lives to whom they are not related by the application deadline in order to be considered. Examples of appropriate references include: Teachers, Scouting or other organized group leaders, Clergy, Supervisors or management at jobs, Coaches for organized sports teams or clubs. The links to both the application and reference form are below. Recommendations must be submitted directly to station management, and cannot be submitted by a student.
A list of students that receive auditions will be posted on Wednesday September 30, 2026. Auditions will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026. All students receiving an audition will be sent a schedule of audition times. Students auditioning will be emailed a packet to prepare a newscast. They will read the newscast at the audition and will be interviewed to help us learn more about their interest and background. October 8 is the only scheduled audition date.
Good luck! We look forward to receiving your application!
WSDP Dr. Andrew Melin Distinguished Alumni Award – 2026 Recipeints
88.1 the Park will honor three deserving alums when the station presents the Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni Award on Wednesday May 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Italian American Club in Livonia. The honor will be presented at the station’s annual banquet.
This year’s honorees are Bob DeLano, Plymouth-Salem ’75, Jim Heller, Plymouth-Salem ’83, and Kara Dupuy-McCauley, Plymouth-Canton ’00.
The award was created in the Spring of 2017 in honor of former WSDP Station Manager, Andrew Melin. The purpose of the award is to recognize WSDP Alums that have used their experience at the station to further the mission of WSDP by achieving success in their chosen career field; investing in the lives of young people; or supporting their local community. It is the hope of the station’s management that the honorees will serve as role models for future students at 88.1.
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Moments with Merritt – April/May 2026
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools strives to be the best choice for families in our community. One of the reasons we’re able to meet that goal is because of partnerships with the local business community. P-CCS Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Monica Merritt, spoke with two of the key leaders in these partnerships. Thomas Paden is the President of the Canton Chamber of Commerce. He’s been with the Canton Chamber since 2009 and has been the President for 14 years. Wes Graff is the President of the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce, and he’s been in that role since 2008.Wes and Thomas have a deep understanding of the needs of our local businesses and how they connect with our school district.
This episode will air on Tuesday April 28, May 5, 12, and 19, following Newsfile at 5:30.
Moments with Merritt-Business-Partnerships-042826 final mix
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88.1 the Park Students Honored at MAB Student Broadcast Awards
88.1 the Park students were honored at the 2026 Michigan Association of Broadcasters High School and College Awards on Thursday March 26, in Lansing.
The students received 16 awards in 16 categories, including five first place and five second place honors. This included sweeping the On-Air Personality or Team and Daily Newscast catergories.
88.1 the Park Award Winners
First Place – Claudia Fisher
First Place – Myles Alcott, Claudia Fisher and Jace Jamison
88.1 the Park Newsletter – Spreading the Airwaves No. 46
88.1 the Park’s latest newsletter includes a preview of the 88.1 the Park Thanks for Giving Pledge Drive, looks back at our concert with Grace West, spotlights our latest Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni and looks at some of the biggest hits on the station. We also spotlight Plymouth Canton ’80 alum, John Matthews and share points of pride about our amazing alumni.
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Dr. Andrew Melin Distinguished Alumni Award – 2025 Recipients
88.1 the Park will honor three deserving alums when the station presents the Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni Award on Wednesday June 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Italian American Club in Livonia. The honor will be presented at the station’s annual banquet.
This year’s honorees are Bret Julyk, Plymouth-Canton ’82, Noelle Wright, Plymouth-Salem ’86, and Nick Gismondi, Plymouth-Salem ’00.
The award was created in the Spring of 2017 in honor of former WSDP Station Manager, Andrew Melin. The purpose of the award is to recognize WSDP Alums that have used their experience at the station to further the mission of WSDP by achieving success in their chosen career field; investing in the lives of young people; or supporting their local community. It is the hope of the station’s management that the honorees will serve as role models for future students at 88.1.
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88.1 the Park Amplification Capital Campaign
DONATE TO THE AMPLIFICATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
“I’m happy to support this upgrade. You guys are really the best. I’m 60 years old and love your music. I feel it spans the generations. Good luck!” – Carol Ann Levis, Canton Michigan
After more than 50 years of operating in essentially the same space, 88.1 the Park is in need of significant upgrades. On May 10th, 2024, we launched the Amplification Capital Campaign to raise funds to convert a classroom into a series of editing, recording, and interview studios, a staff room, and storage space. The $517,000 estimate for the capital campaign includes architecture fees, construction costs, HVAC considerations, sound attenuation measures, enhanced lighting, security considerations, ADA accessibility, video capabilities, and significant equipment purchases and upgrades resulting in four additional studios.
These upgrades will allow for significantly more student participation and more than double our current studio space, allowing for more on-air content, recorded news/programming, and edited news podcasts. These upgrades will put the broadcasting environment at 88.1 the Park on par with professional studio space—helping to maintain our award-winning broadcasting quality, while creating a more professional experience for students and studio guests.
In recognition of the Rotary Club of Plymouth’s centennial (the Club was founded in 1924), the Club’s Foundation has granted $200,000 to the capital campaign. This is a last-in grant: we must raise $200,000 first in order to receive the grant. Our fundraising horizon is December 31, 2026, but we hope to have the money raised by the end of 2025.
Help Us Reach Our Goal!
DONATE TO THE AMPLIFICATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Learn More:
88.1 The Park Phone Apps Available Now
88.1 the Park is excited to announce the release of the station’s new iPhone and Android Phone Apps. The phone apps are available at the iTunes and Google Play stores. You can search for 88.1 The Park.
“We’ve been working on this release for over a year so it is exciting to release the apps for our listeners in Plymouth and Canton, and throughout the world. We wanted to make it easier for our listeners to access the station and our digital content,” said Bill Keith, Station Manager.
The apps were created through a partnership with jācapps, a mobile apps development company in Southfield. They are one of the leading app development companies for radio stations.
Community Focus – July 1, 2026
The Michigan State Police are encouraging Michiganders to install Tornado Saferooms. 88.1 the Park’s Aarti Pradhan spoke with Michigan State Police Public Information Officer, Clayton Cummins about the potential for a new rebate program.
Community-Focus-20260701
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Community Focus – June 3, 2026
The City of Plymouth’s Downtown Development Authority is planning for a 40-million dollar update to the city’s streetscape. 88.1 the Park’s Aarti Pradhan, spoke with the Director of the Plymouth DDA, Sam Plymale, to learn more about the project.
Community-Focus-20260603
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Women’s Sports Spotlight – June 1, 2026
This month’s Women’s Sports Spotlight will focus on the soccer teams at Canton, Plymouth and Salem High School. 88.1 the Park’s Sports Director, Jakob Muncy, is joined by Spencer Isom and Jace Jamison. They talked with Salem’s Aubrey Krischano, Canton’s Kelsey Ruffner and Plymouth’s Emma Johnson.
Community Focus – May 27, 2026
The Summit on the Park in Canton is undergoing a major renovation. 88.1 the Park’s Mahika Srivastava, spoke with Summit on the Park Facility Manager, Jason Lombardo, about the planned improvements and impact on the community.
Community-Focus-20260527
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