San Diego area students win national documentary competition – San Diego Union-Tribune

Ten area students won national recognition for documentaries they created that explore the “power and relevance of the Declaration of Independence,” as the country marks its 250th year.

The local winners were among nearly 4,000 middle and high students across the country who submitted more than 1,800 documentaries in the StudentCam competition sponsored by C-SPAN, a nonprofit public affairs network covering U.S. government proceedings. There were 150 winning films.

First-place middle school winners Helena de la Houssaye and Harper Haden from Correia Middle School in San Diego won a $3,000 prize for their documentary, “This Is What Democracy Looks Like,” about the influence of the Declaration of Independence on the No Kings Movement. Their documentary will air on C-SPAN’s networks on April 17.

Second-prize winners Addison Powell, Ryan Anderson and Mnium Clark-Jijon from Community Montessori in Escondido will receive $1,500 for their documentary, “Behind Barbed Wire,” about “the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and happiness.” Their documentary will air on C-SPAN’s networks on April 1.

Third-prize winners included Celeste Stout, Josie Connor and Mia Martin from Correia Middle School. Celeste’s documentary was on “The Limits of Difference: From the Declaration of Independence to United States v. Virginia” and Josie and Mia’s documentary covered “The Writer’s Declaration: 148 Days To Save Hollywood,” about the Writers Guild of America strike of 2023.

Myla Hannah and Elsa Elkovitch from Correia Middle School won honorable mention for their documentary “Gun Violence in America: How Much is Too Much?”

The documentaries discussed either the influence of the Declaration of Independence on a key moment from America’s 250-year history or how the values stated in the Declaration of Independence touch on a contemporary issue affecting the students or their communities.

Videos were evaluated by a panel of educators and C-SPAN representatives based on theme, quality of expression, presentation of various sides of the topic, and incorporation of C-SPAN classroom programs.

High school students competed on a regional level in East, Central and West areas and middle school students were judged on a national basis.

The StudentCam competition has awarded more than $1.7 million in prizes since 2004 and is funded by the C-SPAN Education Foundation.

The winning videos can be viewed at studentcam.org.