Each piece dives into deeply personal or timely themes. From growing up in the shadow of a sibling with chronic illness or behavioral challenges, to censorship in Venezuela and defending the value of free speech, to wrestling with a modern question: does artificial intelligence limit human potential, or unlock it?<\/p>\n
READ MORE: She created a podcast to process her brushes with gun violence. It made a prestigious shortlist<\/a><\/p>\n For Miami Dade College, this recognition is becoming familiar<\/a>. In the past two years, its students have landed finalist spots \u2014 and in 2024, one even claimed the competition\u2019s top prize<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now, a new group of storytellers are stepping into the spotlight.<\/p>\n This year’s three honorable mentions were published by StoryBytes, MDC\u2019s first student-led podcast platform at Kendall Campus, which launched in 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n Take a listen to this year\u2019s local honorable mentions.<\/p>\n Clockwise from top, Miami Dade College students Valerie Williams, Halee Provost, Daniel Le\u00f3n and Daniela Ortiz. The MDC students produced the podcast ‘Through the Glass,’ which made NPR’s College Podcast Challenge honorable mentions list, 2026. <\/p>\n \u2018Through the Glass\u2019<\/p>\n Being a \u201cglass child\u201d often means the line between sibling and caregiver is blurred.<\/p>\n \u201cImagine being in first grade and getting called out of your own classroom,\u201d says MDC student Valerie Williams in the podcast. \u201cNot because you’re in trouble, but because you’re expected to regulate someone else. Compassion becomes duty, and duty becomes identity.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams and co-narrator Halee Provost both grew up as \u201cglass children,\u201d a term used for siblings of children with significant medical or behavioral needs.<\/p>\n When one child requires more attention, the other can feel overlooked within the family. At the same time, those experiences can foster resilience and empathy.<\/p>\n Listen to \u2018Through the Glass<\/a>\u2019 by By Halee Provost, Daniela Ortiz, Daniel Leon and Valerie Williams<\/p>\n Miami Dade College student Victoria Cuellar. Her podcast, “The Truth that Bothers Them,” made NPR’s College Podcast Challenge honorable mentions list, 2026. <\/p>\n \u2018The Truth that Bothers Them\u2019<\/p>\n Victoria Cuellar was just 8-years-old when her mother received a life-changing call: she was being fired as a journalist in Venezuela after a trip to the U.S. \u2014 accused of being a spy. Her family would be forced out of the country.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aThis was the moment that taught me the power of words,\u201d Cuellar narrates in her podcast.<\/p>\n Through testimony from another Venezuelan journalist, the MDC student examines how the Venezuelan government targets journalists and controls media narratives, leading to division and fear.<\/p>\n But Cuellar argues that censorship is not unique to Venezuela, pointing to limits on free speech in democracies across the world. She raises the question: What is the answer?<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aIt is to use your hope and anger and tears and transform it into action,\u201d Cuellar said.<\/p>\n![\"Clockwise](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774892468_556_.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774892468_634_.jpeg\"\/)
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