As the 2025-26 school year kicks off, Jones Student Radio (JSR) is offering writers and music lovers at Jones College Prep a new opportunity to come together.
Starting this year, JSR will be collaborating with the Blueprint, allowing students to stay updated on upcoming events and talk about news and stories on the past and present music scene.
Then sophomores Cameron Dickinson and Sophia Franklin founded the club in 2023 with the help of club sponsor Ms. Viano to get all the broadcasting licenses and rights to use copyrighted music in order. By the fall of 2023, Jones Student Radio became a fully functioning club.
“The students in the club have a wide range of interests and skills, which is great for an interesting diversity of radio segments that are published on the website,” said Viano.
JSR doesn’t solely focus on music, though. Members have the chance to publish and broadcast anything they are passionate about.
“Club members learn how to record and edit audio and then create segments about really anything they want: themed music playlists, band interviews, or even random chats with friends,” said Viano.
Twice a year, JSR hosts an open mic on the seventh floor terrace, open to all students. Anyone interested is able to perform, whether they play a song solo, are part of a band, or do a skit. Students are able to get creative in almost any way they want, making these open mics extremely diverse.
Being part of the club isn’t just making segments, though. JSR offers many other opportunities to explore.
“You can come along on field trips…volunteer and perform at the open mic, or come as a guest,” said Jackie Cywinski ’26, one of the JSR board members.
“Bring people along with you,” said Ruby O’Brien, ‘26, another board member of JSR.
Even people who aren’t part of the club are welcome to any event.
“We have people that just come for a meeting with their friends…they come along for a couple meetings, that’s so fun,” said Simone Greicius ‘26.
This year, JSR has numerous new events planned.
“We’re going to start doing a lot more field trips…maybe volunteering, maybe a concert,” said O’Brien.
Events outside the school are not the only events, though.
“We’re doing more games and stuff anyone can come to,” said Stella Moseley ‘26.
This upcoming fall, JSR will be hosting its annual fall open mic on Thursday, September 25th, from 4:00-6:00. All are invited; performers, volunteers, guests, teachers, parents, anyone who is interested can come, even non-Jones students. “ “If you’re not in Jones, come! Who cares?” said Cywinski. Entry is $5 for guests and free for performers.
JSR has countless opportunities to offer for music lovers, podcast lovers, writers, or anybody interested in creating and broadcasting a segment. Meetings are every other Tuesday at 3:30 in room 4028. At the moment, the date for the first meeting has not been announced.
“I attended, and it was fire! It seemed like a really nice community that they had, and everyone was super welcoming. Especially the older members, they’re all so nice,” said Hazel Raeburn ‘28.
JSR will have many new opportunities this year, whether it’s volunteering, seeing live music, visiting record stores, or participating in school open mics and segments. “[Come] volunteer and perform at the open mic or come as a guest. Bring people along!” said Moseley.
