It's "The Voice" that got Connor Cole, a sophomore at Santa Fe High School, to be one of the main contributors to the Youth Media Project.

"The Voice" (Connor's own voice) is deep and commands attention, with an unnerving power to make anything seem valid and important. Connor decided to start using his voice when his mom told him to get off the couch and stop playing so many video games.

The Youth Media Project consists of a team of eight adolescents who attend after-school sessions and a few media classes at Monte del Sol Charter School. Teens, with coaching and advice from adults, learn about the process of creating a radio show.

Lexi McAvinchey, a sophomore at Monte del Sol, enters a room and fills it with purpose. "I like to whip people into shape!" she exclaims. She is not only part of the Youth Media Project, but is also involved in Earth Care International. She's focused on making herself "sustainable," while not imposing her beliefs on others.

"I don't drink anything out of plastic bottles," she said, with a focused look in her eyes. But then she softens the dramatics and explains her philosophy. "I don't want to change anyone's mind. I just want people to be educated so they can make their own choices."

These two youngsters represent the essence of the Youth Media Project. The project is a celebration of one of the lesser-heard voices in today's world: youths. Their mission is "to teach the craft of digital storytelling for a socially responsible world."

The shows created by the members are geared toward teens and teen issues.

"The whole idea is that all of the participants are young (13-25 years old), and provide a voice to this demographic, which doesn't have as many channels or venues as older people," said Eliot Fischer, one of the adult coaches. "The content comes from the participants. We want to make sure that it's something that the people who are making the show's friends would be interested in, and be informed by."

Fischer recognizes the low number of teens that actually listen to talk-radio shows. He's desperate for them to get access.

"We focus on a very diverse set of issues," he said. The show has focused on themes like interfaith understanding, culture and identity, and has had features on poetry and spoken word. The members have even engineered a music show. Teens are diverse, as they are burgeoning adults, so the show covers a wide range to accommodate the wishes and passions of various team members.

The students from the team get a full hour every other Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Within that full hour on the radio, they can discuss whatever they want.

"We want people to listen to the show live," Fischer emphasizes. "There's something really different about hearing it live. Knowing that there are other people out there listening to the same thing you are. It's pretty cool, especially for the teens whose voices are out there."

Radio is idealized as a service to the community. It groups people together, unlike podcasts and iPods, where each and every person has their headphones jammed into their ears listening to their own little programmed world.

"We don't want to lose cool elements of these previous technologies while adopting the new," Fischer explained.

The project is planning on expanding its Web site to include more multimedia aspects, but Fischer is convinced that new technology must be taken with a grain of salt.

"I think radio is going for a comeback soon," Connor offered. "As technology grows and multitasking becomes more common, you just listen to one thing. It's a lot nicer."

Conner's perspective could be from being raised in a world filled with too many activities and technological options.

"I'm starting to listen to the radio instead of watching TV while I play video games," he said, seriously. "The radio's a nice little addition to multitasking."

Not a lot of people have multitasking abilities like Connor, but lively commentary wouldn't be a bad background for driving monotonous routes or frying up some frijoles.

The Youth Media Project's next show airs from 7 to 8 p.m. April 21 on 101.1 KSFR, and the topic will be social justice.

On April 7, the theme was temptation, from procrastination to sex. Connor and "The Voice" covered procrastination, and the boisterous Lexi hosted the show.

If you'd like a recap of April 7 or any other show, they're are posted online on the YMP's Web site, youthmediaproject.org.

Lucy Ohlsen is a senior at Santa Fe High School. You can reach her at limefreak44@cybermesa.com.