The Top 10 Student Stories of 2024

From election interference to climate crises to a Latin American cabaret, SRL’s student reporters covered some incredible stories this year – too many to fit in one list. This list includes the most inspiring, imperative, and technically impressive pieces of student work in 2024. 

Without further ado, here are the top 10 stories you might’ve missed from SRL this year.

1. On Our Minds: Election 2024 Episode 2 — Does my vote matter?

Student Producers: Nico Fischer and Poojasai Kona

The 2024 election was characterized by apathy. Many voters grew disillusioned with the political process and felt voting would just be a waste of an hour. On Our Minds hosts Nico Fischer and Poojasai Kona spoke with PBS News Hour congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardin about how partisan our politics have become, explored the myriad reasons young people aren’t voting, and found an answer. Does your vote matter? Short answer: of course, it does.

2. D.C. youth volunteer to preserve long-neglected and historic Black cemeteries

Student Producers: Claire Baek, Trinity Smith, Stella St. Clair, and Cody Finnegan

“Death reflects life, and the treatment of Black people in life is reflective of [the] treatment of Black people in death,” said Lisa Fager, executive director of the Black Georgetown Foundation. Volunteers joined to refurbish the graves at two of D.C.’s neglected Black cemeteries. SRL Academy fellow Claire Baek reported this inspiring story of a community taking action in the face of slow-moving bureaucracy.

“Something so tragic became so beautiful with people coming together.”

Lisa Fager, Executive Director of the Black Georgetown Foundation

3. Tangier Island residents work to preserve culture threatened by rising sea levels

Student Producers: Nuha Ibrahim Fawaz Hussein, Sabrina Tomei Gonzalez, and Seven Jamison

Climate change threatens to erase a centuries-old culture in the small Chesapeake Bay community of Tangier Island. The story centers on 23-year-old Vice Mayor Cameron Evans, who explains how his tight-knit, marine-dependent community faces erosion and mass exodus. This is a reminder that, for many, climate resilience policy is too little too late.

4. National Cathedral stonemasons work to tell a more inclusive and honest history

Student Producers: Bella Major, Joel Aguilar Bonilla, Sanaa Stokes

The Washington National Cathedral hired its first female stonemason this year. The stonemasons form a tight-knit, multigenerational team on a mission to turn the cathedral into a place all Americans feel welcome. The stonemasons replaced dated, ahistorical installations with new monuments to truth and inclusivity.

“Taking down some of these monuments is important because you’re trying to tell the truth. A lot of these monuments glossed over the history.”

Joe Alonso, Head Stonemason

5. A look inside a D.C. retail village helping Black businesses rebound from the pandemic

Student Producer: Morgan Hawkins

Sycamore and Oak, a retail village in Washington DC, is home to twelve Black-owned businesses. Following the devastation of the pandemic, the village has become an incubator for Black entrepreneurs. Sycamore and Oak’s business owners thrive in the face of systemic disadvantage, carrying on the spirit of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street.

6. Student Reporting Labs speaks with the U.S. Surgeon General about youth mental health

Student Producers: Bree Campbell and James Kim

As social media becomes increasingly pervasive, Gen Z faces a unique health crisis. On Our Minds season 4 hosts Bree Campbell and James Kim spoke with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy about what technology replaces in our lives, and how to give ourselves a break. 

“I don’t think people are having these struggles because somehow your generation is deficient in willpower.” 

Vivek H. Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General

7. Run, Hide, Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun

Student Producers: Sarah Youssef, Roury Fitzpatrick, Ashley Carr, Ethan Rodriguez, Shawn McCarthy, Alexis Schmidt, Brianna Schmidt, Jayden Joseph, Oswaldo Nunez, Zion Williams, Sukey Hayden, Joe Book, Ash Prasai, Annie Marchese

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for American children and teens. Run, Hide, Fight shines a light on how young people across the country and the aisle are affected by the gun violence epidemic. This is not just a story of pain — Run, Hide, Fight explores how Gen Z is pushing for change, fostering healing, and joining hands to allay this cycle of trauma. 

8. How is fake news affecting the election?

Student Producers: Nico Fischer and Poojasai Kona

AI-generated content. Targeted misinformation campaigns. Taylor Swift deepfakes. Americans fought an uphill battle to find accurate information to make their choice during the 2024 election. On Our Minds: Election 2024 hosts Nico and Poojasai explored tips and resources for teens to arm themselves against disinformation. They also investigated a specific scheme targeting young Latino men and spoke with Teen Vogue election correspondent Samuel Larreal on how to battle such a campaign.

“It’s certainly hard to reach people who, in a sense, cannot be reached or do not want to be reached, or perhaps their algorithm does not lead them to interact with politics in a natural way.” United We Dream is a pro-immigrant advocacy group, and they are trying to reach these young Latino men in these spaces where they already are.”

Samuel Larreal, Teen Vogue Election Correspondent

9. How SaulPaul is using his music to inspire and empower young people

Student Producers: Marshal Smith, Ana Sofia Contreras, and Layla Benoit

A former convict turned three-time Grammy award nominee, SaulPaul used music to change his path. Now, he devotes himself to helping young people do the same. Calling himself “the musician with a message,” SaulPaul now tours the country, advocating for personal responsibility and teaching kids to take their success into their own hands.

10. Austin theater company works to preserve Latin American culture

Student Producers: Journey Love Taylor, Marcos Mendez Sanchez, and Natalie Erzal

This is a story of artists imagining a new medium to depict their history. SRL’s Journey Love Taylor talked with Austin-based theater company Proyecto Teatro, whose trilogy of stageplays aimed to inspire the reclamation of Latin American culture through cabaret, a traditionally European format.

We’re honored to be able to collaborate with such passionate storytellers, and want to toast every student who pitched or produced a story with us this year! Got a big idea for a story? Pitch us here and let’s get to work!

Thanks for a great year, student reporters. Catch you in 2025!

~ The SRL Team