The NPR Student Podcast Challenge has once again showcased the creative talents of young voices across the United States, with nearly 2,000 submissions pouring in from middle school students. Here, we highlight some of the outstanding entries from this year’s challenge that captivated the judges.
Juliana Nelson’s Journey: “From Here To There”
Among the noteworthy entries is eighth-grader Juliana Nelson from south Florida. Her podcast, “From Here To There,” explores the emotional complexities of relocating from Germantown, Maryland, to Miramar, Florida. Juliana candidly shares, “You would think, as a 13-year-old girl, I would be devastated to leave my home… And you would be right.”
Reflecting on the significant life change, she discusses the challenges of adapting to a new environment, particularly the distance from her father. Despite these difficulties, Juliana maintains a positive outlook, cherishing the new experiences she encounters, from learning to surf to picking up Portuguese. “I guess what I’m trying to say is moving isn’t something I regret,” she concludes.
Lessons from the Palisades Fire: “Rising From The Ashes”
In Carlsbad, California, a group of fifth graders at Magnolia Elementary School tackled a different subject in their podcast, “Rising From The Ashes.” Inspired by the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, these young journalists documented the aftermath and the resilience of their community.
The podcast highlights local heroes like firefighter Shane Lawlor, who bravely faced the fire’s dangers. Lawlor recounts, “The hardest part for me was the days after… just seeing how much devastation was everywhere.” The students skillfully incorporated natural sound to enhance their storytelling.
Additionally, they featured the experience of 7-year-old Goldie, whose family was forced to evacuate. Goldie recalls, “I felt a little scared… We had to skip lunch. They just sounded the fire alarms, and we had to evacuate.” Fortunately, her family safely relocated to Carlsbad, where they received warm support from the community.
Through their exploration, the students discovered a powerful message, as one student expressed, “Fires can take things away, but they can’t take away kindness. They can’t burn up hope, and they can’t stop people from rising from the ashes together.”
For more information on the NPR Student Podcast Challenge, you can visit the official NPR page.
