Radio Camp this year focused on writers of fiction, poetry and memoir and the Minneapolis organization that’s created a community for them. The Loft Literary Center offered interviewees for 17 high school students so they may learn to research, record and produce radio stories.
Radio Campers interviewed the artists and Loft staff in person and got to work right away writing and producing audio pieces. In the process, the teens learned valuable lessons on how to listen and deal with unexpected situations, skills all journalists need.
Radio Camp is an annual weeklong teaching event hosted by MPR with partners ThreeSixty Journalism, KRSM Radio and MIGIZI.
Here are the 2025 Radio Campers and their stories. Click on the audio links to listen.
Kamrin Scott graduated from Two Rivers High School. He talked with Lynn Casale, who is the first point of contact for many seeking information about the Loft.
La’Shonda Scott, a junior at FAIR School for Arts, is interested in podcast production. La’Shonda interviewed Marion Gómez, who manages awards for the Loft.
Aniki Allen interviewed Charlie Bartlett about how she raises funds for the Loft through individual donors at a time when other resources are being cut.
Damar Young is a sophomore at Hiawatha Collegiate High School. Damar interviewed Halee Kirkwood, a published poet and teaching artist at the Loft.
Daphne Kleinschmit is a senior at Columbia Heights High School. Daphne interviewed spoken word artist Dralandra Larkins, who talked about the healing power of art.
Viv Ogunro, a sophomore at Breck School, interviewed Julie Cohen, development director at the Loft about the arts organization’s funding challenges.
Aish Devulapalli, a senior at Wayzata High School, interviewed Art Coulson. A children’s book author and editor, Coulson’s writing reflects his Native heritage.
King Primus is a sophomore at Roseville Area High School. He interviewed Michelle Zamanian, a program administrator about how she came to work at the Loft.
Ace Gilbert, a sophomore at FAIR School for Arts, intends to use audio editing skills learned at Radio Camp to produce music. They interviewed teaching artist Carolyn Holbrook.
Anushka Narielwala, a senior at Edina High School, interviewed teaching artist Rachel Werner and Loft staff member Giselle Hayes about working with younger writers.
Shyamana Kasat-Shors, a sophomore at Washburn High School, interviewed award-winning creative nonfiction writer, poet and playwright David Mura on how race and family influence his work.
Ella Khang plans to use audio editing skills acquired at camp in future projects. The Forest Lake High School freshman talked with Loft Literary Center creative writing student Estelle Timar-Wilcox.
Ethan Maury, of Great River School, talked with the Loft’s Michelle Zamanian about the winding path some writers take as they pursue careers.
Sumaya Mahamud, a sophomore at Southwest High School, spoke with the Loft’s finance and operations director Beth Schoeppler on how the publishing world has changed over her long career.
Maryama Ahmed, a sophomore at Columbia Heights High School, interviewed Marianne Manzler on how she counsels young writers on the often difficult path to become a published author.
Alex Jackson-Anderson, a junior at Venture Academy, wants to pursue a career in radio. For her story, Alex interviewed Jack Harris on his start as a writer producing fan fiction.
Eden Gillette-Kelley, a junior at Roosevelt High School, talked with Wini Froelich, who reflected on how the restoration of older buildings in Minneapolis’ Mill District, including the Loft’s home, strengthens a community.
