Teen journalists examine history and arts in the nation’s capital during week-long SRL academy
Twenty five youth reporters and video storytellers from 17 states gathered in Washington, D.C. this summer to sharpen their journalism, camera and editing skills at the annual Student Reporting Labs Academy.
Paired with mentors, SRL fellows spread out across the DC-area to tell stories centered around the history and arts that make up Washington, D.C.
Here are their stories:
Murals breathe life into Washington D.C.
A group of dedicated artists are inspiring residents to take pride in their community.
Student producers/videographers/editors include: Ryghtious Frazier of Wauwatosa West High School in Wisconsin, Logan Tsukiyama of Maui Waena Intermediate in Hawaii, Reid Koslowski of Etiwanda High School in California, and Alexis Lesher of Cedar Crest High School in Pennsylvania. Mentor support provided by Omar Delgado and William Swift.
Sewing the fabric of America
These seamstresses fled genocide in Cambodia. Now, they’re sewing together the fabric of America.
Student producers/videographers/editors include: Edward Smith of Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Kentucky, Memphis Cleveland of Black River Falls High School in Wisconsin, Lilly Waterfall of Royal Oak High School in Michigan, and Sean Davis of Hughes Stem High School in Ohio.
Making musical connections
Musician Emma G offers her philosophy on life while sharing her love of music.
Student producers/videographers/editors include: Maya Loera of Jersey Village High School in Texas, Bryan Edouard of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Massachusetts, Elijah Hernandez of Legacy Early College High School in South Carolina, and Jaylah Moore-Ross of John F. Kennedy High School in Maryland. Mentor support provided by David Robb, Leah Clapman and Michelle Dyer
Preserving America’s past
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm takes visitors back hundreds of years to 1771, where they can experience life in the U.S. before the American Revolution. The farm, which sits on National Park Service land, is facing closure unless the caretakers are able to come to a new agreement with the federal agency.
Student producers/videographers/editors include: David Perez of Christopher Columbus High School in Florida, Owen Shao of Wauwatosa East High School in Wisconsin and Raegan Byrd of Journalism and Media Academy in Connecticut. Mentor support provided by Jennifer Suzuki, Elis Estrada and Rebecca Messner.
Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2018
16 year old Tiffany Missembe is a youth organizer of Vote16DC, a coalition of youth and adults that are fighting to extend voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds in Washington D.C. through the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2018.
Student producers/videographers/editors include: Xavier Dominguez of Las Cruces High School in New Mexico, Savannah Burrows of West Ranch High School in California, Elijah Magana of Etiwanda High School in California, and Linda Olvera-Jones of Dalton Middle School in Georgia. Mentoring provided by Kristy Choi from PBS NewsHour and Lisa Wilk from WHYY.
Serving America through music
Meet the men and women of the US Navy Band, who tell us that music has the power to create better diplomacy.
Student producers/videographers/editors include: Shane Verkest of Frederick V. Pankow Center in Michigan, Morgan Fischer of Dominion High School in Virginia, Fernando Cienfuegos of Northview High School in California, and Erica Domena of Northside Charter High School in New York