Exploring Identity and Memory: Highlights from the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge
Curious young minds across the United States have turned their questions into audio stories, capturing the essence of what it means to be an American and exploring personal and collective memories. These narratives, crafted by students from various states, are among the top entries in the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
In its eighth year, the NPR Student Podcast Challenge attracted nearly 1,500 podcast submissions from students in 42 states and the District of Columbia. After a thorough review by NPR’s education team, the best entries have been selected as finalists.
This year’s finalists, drawn from two main categories—grades five through eight and grades nine through 12—will be evaluated by a panel of judges, with winners to be announced soon. Winning podcasts will be featured on NPR programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
A prominent theme of this year’s challenge was the special task of reflecting on America’s 250th anniversary. Students delved into what it means to be an American, while other popular topics included technology in education and the nature of memory.
Many students also explored intergenerational themes, learning from elders about family histories and life lessons. Congratulations are extended to all participants, their teachers, and sponsors for their hard work and creativity.
Below is the list of middle and high school finalists for the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge, arranged alphabetically. Honorable mentions can be found here.
Fourth grade category winners and honorable mentions will be announced at a later date.
Middle School Finalists
Andy Warhol Was a Woman Named Patricia
Student: Ike Anolik
Teacher/Sponsor: David Khoury, Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
NPR Member Stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO and WNYE
Ike’s podcast explores an unexpected encounter with Andy Warhol during a walk in the park, uncovering insights from writer Pat Hackett, who worked with the artist.
Students: Izabella Anthony, Benjamin Baigel, Bridget Castellon, Rile DeLeon, Maxwell Gibbs, Daniel Hernandez, Malcolm Johnson, Sylpa Kafle, Mason King, Kyle Li, Maximus Lin, Emmerson Quinn, Ariella Schoenfeld, Owenize Udevbulu, and Dara Widzowski
Teacher/Sponsor: Jaime Harrington, Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett, N.Y.
NPR Member Stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE, and WSHU
Marking America’s 250th birthday, fifth graders discuss the importance of civics education and explore how to engage citizens in their podcast.
Student: Kate Baker
Teacher/Sponsor: Morgan Jeffery, Excelsior Middle School in Marion, Iowa
NPR Member Stations: IPR and WVIK
Kate shares a heartfelt tribute to her grandfather, incorporating letters and stories to understand the impact of dementia.
Student: Cora Walsh
Teacher/Sponsor: Emily Johnson, South Side Middle School in Rockville Centre, N.Y.
NPR Member Stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE, and WSHU
Cora’s exploration of her dyslexia reveals its challenges and strengths, with insights from her mother and tutor.
Student: Anthony Perez
Teacher/Sponsor: Linda Ov, High Tech Middle Media Arts in San Diego, Calif.
NPR Member Station: KPBS
Investigating increased I.C.E. activity, Anthony and peers delve into the agency’s history and conduct interviews to deepen their understanding.
Student: Livie Courser
Teacher/Sponsor: Shelly Hughes, Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School in Upper Arlington, Ohio
NPR Member Stations: WOSU and WCBE
Livie recounts her grandfather’s immigration story from Crete to America, capturing his experiences and challenges.
More Than Just a Differability
Student: Lucas DeVries
Teacher/Sponsor: Laura Frisbie, Minnetonka Middle School West in Chanhassen, Minn.
NPR Member Station: MPR
Lucas challenges perceptions of Down syndrome, emphasizing the uniqueness of his brother Jacob and the concept of “differability.”
Students: Selah Walkup, Emily Jane Gravitt, Millie Lorence, Addison Jones, and Izabella Zapeda
Teacher/Sponsor: Greg Walkup, Otwell Middle School in Cumming, Ga.
NPR Member Stations: WABE, GPB, and WCLK
These students explore what makes their teacher exceptional, gathering insights from her current and former students.
Students: Zoey Nolan and Abigail Stettler
Teacher/Sponsor: Catherine Rinko-Gay, Barrington Elementary School in Upper Arlington, Ohio
NPR Member Stations: WOSU and WCBE
Zoey and Abigail investigate career aspirations among their peers and compare them to the realities of professional life.
Student: Eleanor Deutsch
Teacher/Sponsor: Jessica Deutsch, Troy Intermediate School in Avon Lake, Ohio
NPR Member Station: Ideastream
Eleanor examines the impact of technology in education, weighing its pros and cons through interviews with students, parents, and administrators.
High School Finalists
A Small Town’s Meteoric Significance
Students: Addy Dooley, Mallory Stone, Carson Becker, Aidan Bell, and Anna Crall
Teacher/Sponsor: Jade Sewell, Illini Bluffs High School in Glasford, Ill.
NPR Member Stations: WCBU, WILL, WUIS, and WGLT
Uncovering an unexpected discovery, high schoolers investigate a gas leak that leads to an ancient crater and a hidden facility.
Student: Miles Jackman
Teacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson, Public Academy for Performing Arts in Albuquerque, N.M.
NPR Member Stations: KUNM and KANW
Examining the influence of artificial intelligence, Miles explores its impact on student work and creativity.
Student: Ulysses McKittrick
Teacher/Sponsor: David Khoury, Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
NPR Member Stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, and WNYE
In his podcast, Ulysses seeks generational wisdom, interviewing an elder to gain insight for his college essays.
Student: Haarrathi Kanna
Teacher/Sponsor: Molly Earle, Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School, Greenville, N.Y.
NPR Member Stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE, Connecticut Public, and WSHU
Haarrathi investigates the neurological effects of music, interviewing experts to uncover its impact on students with learning differences.
Student: Charles Post
Teacher/Sponsor: Pamela Ng, Los Altos High School in Los Altos, Calif.
NPR Member Stations: KQED and KALW
Through interviews with his teammates and coach, Charles highlights the inspirational influence of his football coach despite health challenges.
The Government Exodus: Why Federal Workers Resign
Student: Anna Su
Teacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen, Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
NPR Member Station: WAMU
Anna seeks to understand the reasons behind the mass resignation of federal workers in 2025, through interviews with former employees.
Student: Allen Mondragon
Teacher/Sponsor: Joel Ruvalcaba, J. Sterling Morton High School East in Cicero, Ill.
NPR Member Stations: WBEZ and WILL
Allen reflects on his father’s legacy, seeking to understand the impact and love his father left behind.
Student: Jacob Zheng
Teacher/Sponsor: Jeff Oleksinski, Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Mich.
NPR Member Stations: Michigan Public, WEMU, WDET, and WKAR
Jacob’s podcast captures the sounds that define “home,” exploring their significance as his sister moves away for college.
Student: Amit Biligiri
Teacher/Sponsor: Pejing Lee, Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose, Calif.
NPR Member Stations: KQED, KALW, and KAZU
Amit investigates the mystery of memory retention, questioning why some memories persist while others fade.
Student: Jay Burnett
Teacher/Sponsor: Shane Burnett, Lakeside School in Seattle, Wash.
NPR Member Stations: KUOW, KNKX, and NWPB
Jay explores the motivations behind collecting, speaking with fellow collectors to understand the drive behind their passion.
