Students Across America Share Their Stories Through Podcasts
In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, NPR invited students nationwide to create podcasts that explore their perspectives on the American experience and the meaning of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Participants ranged from elementary school to high school, and over 700 entries were submitted. These podcasts included personal interviews with immigrant family members, discussions with veterans and government officials, and even notable figures like Gloria Steinem.
The submissions showcased a variety of historical reenactments, such as the Battle of Monmouth, the Stonewall riots, and the Underground Railroad. Others addressed contemporary issues, including an exploration of civics education in schools.
Winners
Students: Grace Kepka and Angelika Garrett, Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
Teacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen
The podcast discusses the significant impact of youth voting, particularly as Grace resides in one of the few U.S. cities that allows 16-year-olds to vote in local elections.
Students: Group of fifth graders from Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jaime Harrington
This group of fifth graders raises awareness about the insufficient civics education in schools and explores ways to improve civic knowledge among students.
Student: Livie Courser, Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School in Upper Arlington, Ohio
Teacher/Sponsor: Shelly Hughes
Livie Courser interviews her grandfather about his immigration from Greece to the United States, sharing personal insights into the challenges and triumphs of starting anew in a different country.
Researching the Underground Railroad
Students: Travis Bozeman and Oliver Heering, South Douglas Elementary School in Douglasville, Ga.
Teacher/Sponsor: Thomas Bruno
This podcast features a historical deep dive into the Underground Railroad, highlighting the escape of around 100,000 slaves, supported by expert interviews.
Student: Makayla Cheung, Mercer Island High School in Mercer Island, Wash.
Teacher/Sponsor: Lauren Schechter
Makayla explores the varied interpretations of the American Dream, with a personal focus on her father’s journey from Hong Kong, driven by his talent in running.
Student: Violet Maxinoski, Carmel High School in Carmel, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Shelley Grahl
Through interviews with her mother, Violet Maxinoski relays vivid experiences from Iraq, contrasting them with the security found in the United States.
Student: Ursula Koestner, Roslyn High School in Roslyn Heights, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Matthew Vogt
Ursula’s podcast delves into the lasting impacts of the Vietnam War on her grandfather, exploring themes of family trauma and the enduring scars of conflict.
Honorable Mentions
Students: Pareena Gupta and Vidushee Bala, Amador Valley High School in 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 in San Francisco, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jacqueline Moses
An Intro to Differing Perspectives
Student: Waylon Heikinen, Ingomar Middle School in Franklin Park, Pa.
Teacher/Sponsor: Heath Gamache
Students: Karolina Zientek, James Gearhart, Andrea Vezmar, Troy Murray and August Hutchison, Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Lukasz Zientek
Before You Drop A Track: America’s 250th Anniversary
Student: Lukas Boulom, Public Academy For Performing Arts in Albuquerque, N.M.
Teacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson
Students: Makenna Aniszewski, Trinlee Leitner, and team, Otwell Middle School in Cumming, Ga.
Teacher/Sponsor: David Miller
Democracy for Everyone or No One
Student: Jeju Daisy Ahn-Miles, Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii
Teacher/Sponsor: Christine Ahn
Student: Lara Leon, Mountain View High School in Mountain View, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tom Chang
Student: Naina Dhillon, Khan Lab School in Palo Alto, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Emily Lindsey
Student: Dipa Chéry, The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas
Teacher/Sponsor: Olen Rambow
Student: Afomia Lemma, St. Mary’s Lynn in Lynn, Mass.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tiringo Endalamaw
Student: Zinnia Bender, North Fork High School in Hotchkiss, Colo.
Teacher/Sponsor: Clara Pena
Student: Yicheng Sun, Rectory School in Pomfret, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Andrew Barker
Students: Della Axelband, Peyton Johnson, Lily Epstein and Lilly Murillo, Jupiter Middle School in Jupiter, Fla.
Teacher/Sponsor: Sireesha Rutter
Student: Josie Sloan-Westmoreland, The Learning Community School in Swannanoa, N.C.
Teacher/Sponsor: David Bird
Moving From Country to Country
Students: Ida Buerckert, Daniella Cubas, Ayano Enishi and Anastaiia Koshyk, Irving A. Robbins Middle School in Farmington, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Alysson Olsen
Student: Zoe Snyder, Susquenita High School in Duncannon, Pa.
Teacher/Sponsor: Terrance Shepler
Student: Caroline Harris, Marin Academy in San Rafael, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Kelly Kurtzig
Student: Lark (Miles) Jackman, Public Academy For Performing Arts in Albuquerque, N.M.
Teacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson
Student: Abbott Mearns and Keaton Rainwater, College Place Middle School in Lynnwood, Wash.
Teacher/Sponsor: Colindra Connolly
The Battle of Monmouth: A Twist on History
Students: Leonardo, Zinna and Kaiden, Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro, N.J.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tara Meara
Students: Abraham Coher and William Pan, Polytechnic School in Pasadena, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Aliya Coher
The Government Exodus: Why Federal Workers Resign
Student: Anna Su, Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
Teacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen
The Name I Chose Polly Bemis (September 11, 1853 – November 6, 1933)
Student: Jubilee Sung, Imaginate Ink in Irvine, Calif.
Teacher/Sponsor: Clarissa Ngo
Student: Petra Rouhana, Maryvale Preparatory School in Lutherville, Md.
Teacher/Sponsor: Deirdre McAllister
Students: Noam Dekel, Ronnie Dekel, Ian Rodriguez, Leonardo Leon-Espinoza, and team, P.S. 333 Manhattan School for Children in New York, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Karin Patterson
Student: Josh Langlois, Cloverleaf Home Education in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Teacher/Sponsor: Tony Winger
Student: Allayar Maratov, Rectory School in Pomfret, Conn.
Teacher/Sponsor: Andrew Barker
Student: Siobhan Allen, The Hewitt School in New York, N.Y.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jonathan Sabol
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
