The next generation is often thought to be a source for hope and change. This year, C-SPAN, a private non-profit media affairs organization, returned for its 20th annual StudentCam competition, providing the space for youth to explore their potential.
The theme, “Looking Forward While Considering the Past,” challenged L.A. area middle and high school students to address this theme through a futuristic prompt about important changes for America’s future or a reflective prompt about important changes that have occurred within the past 20 years in America’s history. Applicants submitted videos through StudentCam, which is a platform that enables “students across the country to share their voice on issues important to them and their communities,” says Adam Falk, senior vice president of State Government Affairs for Spectrum.
Over the course of two decades, C-SPAN has awarded more than $1.5 million in prizes. In honor of the 20-year milestone, the media organization gifted educators an additional $50,000 for a total of $150,000 in student and teacher cash prizes and awards. For this year’s competition, more than 3,200 participating students sent in more than 1,600 entries from 42 states and Washington, D.C. Craig McAndrew, director of C-SPAN Education Relations, was in awe of this year’s students who “skillfully blended their perspectives with in-depth research and an array of expert interviews,” and rejoiced in sharing “their accomplishments with their local communities and the nation.”
Progressing through the competition was no simple feat. “Videos were evaluated by a panel of educators and C-SPAN representatives based on the thoughtful examination of the competition’s theme, quality of expression, inclusion of varying sides of the documentary’s topic and effective incorporation of C-SPAN programming.” C-SPAN awarded one grand prize, four first prizes, 16 second prizes, 32 third prizes and 97 honorable mentions. The winning videos received cash awards of $5,000, $3,000, $1,500, $750 and $250, respectively.
The following students at Long Beach Polytechnic High School won prizes:
Braden Mosteig will receive $1,500 as a second prize winner for the documentary “Who Pays Dues for News?,” which is about changes in funding for local journalism. This documentary will air on C-SPAN on April 4 at 6:50 a.m. ET and throughout the day.
The following students are third-prize winners and will receive $750 for their winning entries:
Jemma Nagle and Taylor Chay for the documentary “Death Penalty: A Loss of Life and Liberty.”
Alexander Nguyen, Paul Tsao and Carlos Casillas for the documentary “Immigration Situation.”
Poppy Wells and Gia Bottegoni for the documentary “Protecting Our Ocean’s Carbon Sinks.”
The following students are honorable-mention winners and will receive $250:
Joshua Morrissey, Eamon Overman and David Newman for the documentary “Kessler Syndrome: the Next Big Problem.”
Alice Kermode for the documentary “Must Be Silenced,” which is about book banning and censorship in schools.
Ajala Sen for the documentary “The Science Of Reading: A Student’s Right To Literacy.”
Emily Ly and Avery Ejercito for the documentary “Working Hard Today for A Better Tomorrow,” a film about climate change.
Claire Holben and Daphne Gates for the documentary “Carbon and Conservation.”
Charles Shivers for the documentary “Artificial Problems: Aligning AI with the Future,” a film about progression and regulation of artificial intelligence.
Jiya Murrell and Avery Rosen, students at Marlborough School in L.A., will receive $250 as honorable-mention winners for the documentary “The Eternal Impact of the Affordable Care Act.”
The 150 winning videos can be viewed at studentcam.org and may be used in a broadcast with attribution to C-SPAN.
