Two Toll Gate seniors got a brief glimpse of radio fame after volunteering with Lite Rock 105 and 92 Pro FM at the Home Show.

Frederick Gill, project director at New England Institute for Technology, oversees construction programs at career and technical schools across the state. Working with Lou Cotoia from the Rhode Island Builders Association, Gill helped to recruit various programs to take part in the solar tree house project. The aim was to create more opportunities for students to explore various career paths. What started as a 20-student concept quickly grew to a 300-student project to build two solar-powered tree houses for the show.

Aside from the obvious opportunities for construction and electrical students, the project was expanded to those interested in communications and media. These students would work alongside two radio stations out of the tree houses for promotions.

Gill reached out to Dennis Dubee, a technology teacher at Toll Gate, to see if he had any students interested in the opportunity. Dubbe immediately thought of two seniors, Andrew Hunt and Ariana Nahrgang.

“I knew both of them would be really interested in this opportunity. They both want to pursue a career in this field,” Dubee said. “Plus they both speak very clearly and concisely, perfect for radio.”

Hunt, the next Howard Stern, said he has always been interested in talk radio, where Nahrgang just wants to put her feet in the door within this industry. Hunt worked with 92 PRO FM working their promotions booth for raffle prizes and Nahrgang did the same with Lite Rock 105. Both were able to speak extensively with different people in the field and now both are more motivated in pursuing a career in communications after graduation.

“I saw that there are a lot more opportunities within the industry than just talking on the radio,” Hunt said. “The job is much more involved. You have to participate in a lot of events, talk to a lot of people and be really integrated in the community.”

Nahrgang said, “I got to work with Amy Pontes and she was so nice. She gave me a lot of insight into the industry. I am more interested than ever now. This is a field I can really see myself doing well in.”

Gill said it is important to expose students to different career paths and to advocate for them in the industry with different exploration opportunities.

“Its always good to expose student to new things early on,” Dubee said. “If you can pique their interest at a young age they can become passionate and go on to have successful careers.”