Haverford High School has many attributes such as its talented student-athlete population, dedicated robotics team, and generally enthusiastic student body. Along with these characteristics, Haverford High School is home to 99.9 WHHS Radio Rediscovered. If you have wandered past the entrance to the West Commons, there is a door, on the right, that is the portal to America’s oldest non-commercial FM broadcast station. The station has been featured in interviews and television broadcasts numerous times, especially recently since this year the radio station celebrated its 75th anniversary! The radio carries a rich history along with an amazing legacy that lives on through the still thriving station and its Coffee Houses.

The radio station is currently located on the first floor of the high school near the West Commons, but this was not its first home. WHHS once resided in the current Haverford Middle School building, previously known as Haverford Junior High. The first broadcast took place on December 6th, 1949, and ever since, Havertown citizens within a one mile radius of the building have had the opportunity to hear the unmistakable sound of WHHS. 

The modern day radio runs similarly to the older station; students can choose a time slot in the beginning of the year to operate the station for about an hour every week. There are songs burned onto the SAM operating system that each DJ group can choose from to play during their shows. Microphones are set up and students are encouraged to talk during their shows as well. Along with the ongoing airing, the club fundraises when they host Coffee Houses. Each Coffee House entails various high school musicians and/or bands performing while the audience rocks out to the selected songs. Entry costs five dollars, but those who choose to help set up before can enter for free. These volunteers transform the event from the normal school environment into a comfortable concert ambiance. It is a truly entertaining time and a way to hang out with friends while enjoying the talent that Haverford High School has to offer. 

This year, all three Coffee Houses were smashing successes. The committee that runs the radio chose three themes: a 75th birthday party, night at the movies, and the most recent, Y2K. Students are encouraged to dress up to match the event theme, and musicians are encouraged to handpick tracks that match as well. 

Coffee Houses have served as fundraisers for many years, dating back to the first show. Then, students paid one dollar for a chance to be in the auditorium while the station began to air. When the station was born, it was not known as 99.9. In 2004-2005, the station had a hiccup in airing and was forced off as a result of a large brand radio company taking their dial which was called Radio One. After an article was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Radio One helped the high school get back on air. Ever since, the Haverford radio station has been running strong and can be found under 99.9 FM on the radio dial.

The radio station is an  incredible opportunity that Haverford High offers to all students. Between the minimal commitment and ease, it is a great place to be yourself and meet fellow students. If you’re interested in contributing to the club, attend their  big radio show on May 17th from 12-4pm in the HHS back field to celebrate the hard work that the many radio hosts have dedicated to the station!