NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge: Voices of a Nation’s Milestone
As the United States celebrates a significant milestone, NPR has engaged the younger generation in reflecting on the essence of the American experience through podcasting. Students nationwide were asked to explore and express their understanding of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.
Receiving over 700 submissions, the challenge saw students delve into diverse topics ranging from family immigration stories to impactful historical events. These included reenactments of the Battle of Monmouth and the Stonewall riots, alongside contemporary issues such as civics education in schools.
Winning Podcasts
Abridged
Students: Grace Kepka and Angelika Garrett, Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Md.
Teacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen
Through their podcast, Grace and Angelika explore the influence of youth voting in Takoma Park, Md., where 16-year-olds can participate in local elections. They highlight how these rights encourage political engagement among young residents.
Civics in Our Schools
Students: Izabella Anthony et al., Hewlett Elementary School, Hewlett, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jaime Harrington
In this podcast, a group of fifth graders discuss the surprising lack of civics knowledge among Americans and propose ways to enhance civic education to foster better citizenship.
Leaving Greece
Student: Livie Courser, Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Teacher/Sponsor: Shelly Hughes
Livie interviews her grandfather about his challenging journey from Greece to America, highlighting his determination to achieve the American dream through hard work and entrepreneurship.
Researching the Underground Railroad
Students: Travis Bozeman and Oliver Heering, South Douglas Elementary School, Douglasville, Ga.
Teacher/Sponsor: Thomas Bruno
Fourth graders Travis and Oliver provide an insightful look into the history of the Underground Railroad, supported by expert interviews and their research.
The American Dream
Student: Makayla Cheung, Mercer Island High School, Mercer Island, Wash.
Teacher/Sponsor: Lauren Schechter
Makayla’s podcast paints a personal picture of her father’s journey from Hong Kong to the U.S., where running provided him a sense of belonging and community.
The Journal
Student: Violet Maxinoski, Carmel High School, Carmel, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Shelley Grahl
Through her mother’s wartime journal, Violet explores the stark contrasts between life in Iraq and the peace experienced in America, emphasizing the value of freedom.
Welcome Home, Grandpa
Student: Ursula Koestner, Roslyn High School, Roslyn Heights, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Matthew Vogt
Ursula reflects on her grandfather’s experiences during the Vietnam War, addressing the enduring impact and trauma faced by veterans and their families.
Honorable Mentions
America the Beautiful
Students: Pareena Gupta and Vidushee Bala, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Stacey Sklar
America: The Ups and the Downs
Student: Alana Burwell, The Waldorf School of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.
Teacher/Sponsor: Anyta Thomas
America’s New Favorite Sport-Girls’ Flag Football
Students: Josephine Barry-Kao and Malcolm Barry-Kao, Lowell High School, San Francisco, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jacqueline Moses
An Intro to Differing Perspectives
Student: Waylon Heikinen, Ingomar Middle School, Franklin Park, Pa.
Teacher/Sponsor: Heath Gamache
Becoming American
Students: Karolina Zientek, James Gearhart et al., Greenwich High School, Greenwich, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Lukasz Zientek
Before You Drop A Track: America’s 250th Anniversary
Student: Lukas Boulom, Public Academy For Performing Arts, Albuquerque, N.M.
Teacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson
Dawg Talk | Are we equal now?
Students: Makenna Aniszewski et al., Otwell Middle School, Cumming, Ga.
Teacher/Sponsor: David Miller
Democracy for Everyone or No One
Student: Jeju Daisy Ahn-Miles, Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii
Teacher/Sponsor: Christine Ahn
Everything Given Forward
Student: Lara Leon, Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tom Chang
Fifty Stars, One Banner
Student: Naina Dhillon, Khan Lab School, Palo Alto, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Emily Lindsey
Freedom’s Shore
Student: Dipa Chéry, The Kinkaid School, Houston, Texas
Teacher/Sponsor: Olen Rambow
From One Immigrant To Another
Student: Afomia Lemma, St. Mary’s Lynn, Lynn, Mass.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tiringo Endalamaw
Hope and Resistance
Student: Zinnia Bender, North Fork High School, Hotchkiss, Colo.
Teacher/Sponsor: Clara Pena
How Is My Life Like In US
Student: Yicheng Sun, Rectory School, Pomfret, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Andrew Barker
Life of a Soldier
Students: Della Axelband et al., Jupiter Middle School, Jupiter, Fla.
Teacher/Sponsor: Sireesha Rutter
More Than A Photograph
Student: Josie Sloan-Westmoreland, The Learning Community School, Swannanoa, N.C.
Teacher/Sponsor: David Bird
Moving From Country to Country
Students: Ida Buerckert et al., Irving A. Robbins Middle School, Farmington, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Alysson Olsen
Picketts Charge
Student: Zoe Snyder, Susquenita High School, Duncannon, Pa.
Teacher/Sponsor: Terrance Shepler
“So What??”
Student: Caroline Harris, Marin Academy, San Rafael, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Kelly Kurtzig
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Student: Lark (Miles) Jackman, Public Academy For Performing Arts, Albuquerque, N.M.
Teacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson
Teddy Roosevelt and His Pets
Students: Abbott Mearns and Keaton Rainwater, College Place Middle School, Lynnwood, Wash.
Teacher/Sponsor: Colindra Connolly
The Battle of Monmouth: A Twist on History
Students: Leonardo, Zinna, and Kaiden, Marlboro Middle School, Marlboro, N.J.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tara Meara
The Freedom to Fail
Students: Abraham Coher and William Pan, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Aliya Coher
The Government Exodus: Why Federal Workers Resign
Student: Anna Su, Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Md.
Teacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen
The Name I Chose Polly Bemis (September 11, 1853 – November 6, 1933)
Student: Jubilee Sung, Imaginate Ink, Irvine, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Clarissa Ngo
The Pig and Potato Podcast
Student: Petra Rouhana, Maryvale Preparatory School, Lutherville, Md.
Teacher/Sponsor: Deirdre McAllister
The Small Pond of Peace
Students: Noam Dekel et al., P.S. 333 Manhattan School for Children, New York, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Karin Patterson
to be united as citizens
Student: Josh Langlois, Cloverleaf Home Education, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tony Winger
Two Worlds, One Dream
Student: Allayar Maratov, Rectory School, Pomfret, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Andrew Barker
What is Home?
Student: Siobhan Allen, The Hewitt School, New York, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jonathan Sabol
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