STRUTHERS — Historic radio station WKTL, whose call letters stand for We’re the Key to Learning, celebrated its 60th anniversary this weekend, with the reunion and formal recognition of former Struthers student staff members taking place during the pregame at Struthers Laddie J. Fedor Field on Friday.

A tour of the station and a reception hosted by the Struthers Rotary took place at Mauthe Park on Saturday.

WKTL, located in the Struthers Field House, was the first all student-staffed radio station in the country. The first broadcast from the radio station happened Sept. 13, 1965. Stephen J. Gercevich, a former speech instructor at Struthers and former radio announcer, conceived of the station to provide a unique laboratory to put classroom broadcasting techniques to use.

“We have a lot of traditions and history that we are proud of at Struthers, but WKTL is an enduring part of our district culture. To still have a piece of history in our district that has impacted generations of students, is truly special and we are excited to commemorate WKTL’s rich contributions to our district and community,” said Struthers City Schools Superintendent, Pete Pirone.

In its 60-year history, the station has provided experiential learning and enrichment experiences for students for decades.

“We offered Radio I and Radio II. The students would also have after-school hours where they would operate the radio station. They broadcasted all Struthers varsity football and basketball games. There was a schedule set by the teachers and students for programming. For example, polka hour. Students would play music based on the programming schedule. Over the years, many students went into broadcasting. We have former students who worked for WFMJ and WKBN. I believe we currently have a former WKTL student who works for Paramount,” Pirone said.

Football and basketball games are still broadcast by the station, but it is no longer operated by students. WKTL (90.7 FM) is a noncommercial radio station broadcasting a variety of international music on Saturdays. During the rest of the week, programming is provided by Akron Public Schools-owned WAPS 91.3 FM “The Summit” in Akron, which airs an adult album alternative music format. Owned by the Struthers Board of Education, the station serves the Youngstown-Warren area. The classroom radio labs have morphed into digital broadcasting classes, where students learn how to create and partake in video programming for television, online streaming or YouTube type platforms.

The approximately 20 former student radio staff members who convened to reminisce and be recognized had plenty of memories to share. Marilou Sole, 70, of Struthers, recalled that she wanted to join the staff as a freshman, but was told she was too young.

“I told Mr. Milanchis, the manager at the time, I was going to go and get my FCC (Federal Communications Commission) license anyway. He said if I did, he’d put me on the staff. So I applied on my own and got the license and started working at the station.”

The FCC requires licensure to operate certain types of electronic equipment. Sole went on to become an engineer at WKBN.

Dave Beaver, 70, of Struthers, recalled how he spearheaded the effort to raise funds for and transport the radio tower needed for the station to broadcast.

“We had plenty of fundraisers to get that tower. We got it from what was then WBBW, on Knox Street in Youngstown. We needed cranes and trucks to disassemble it and haul it to Struthers,” Beaver said.

Lawrence Delino, now of Akron, remembers having to audition to be a DJ.

“They had three local DJ’s come in and do some of the judging. I auditioned in front of Boots Bell, Dick Thompson and Johnnie Kay from WHOT,” he said.

“Morning Melodies,” was the name of the radio program for which Nancy Galich DeRamo served as DJ. She remembers having to come to school early to do so. She says her experience left her with an increased ability to speak in front of people without feeling anxious. She said, “I have absolutely no stage fright!”

When asked what type of music he spun at WKTL, former staffer Bill Adams joked, “I broke the Sex Pistols!”

He said he played what would now be considered “classic rock,” but was then the rock music of the times.

“But no disco,” he chuckled.

Skylar Slavik, 38, of Boardman, from the Struthers class of 2005, said that although he did not take the radio classes or seek to be part of the staff, WKTL was important to him and his friends. “We loved to call in and request ‘Hot Dog Polka.’ All the grandparents thought it was sweet, but really we did it as a joke. But we would always tune in, listen to basketball and football games. It was always fun to know when a friend would be on the air.”