SRL Academy Fellows produce stories about the world they want to live in

Twenty talented young filmmakers from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. this summer to hone their journalism, camera and editing skills at the annual Student Reporting Labs Academy.

The SRL Fellows paired up with PBS mentors and spread out around the region to find stories of people and groups striving to make the world a better place.

Here are their stories.

For girls who look like me

Produced by
Christine Alonzo, Maui Waena Intermediate School
Allicia Dean, Etiwanda High School
Pamela Kapolka, Cedar Crest High School
Ty Smith, Vista PEAK Preparatory

Mentor support provided by Steve Bayless of Arizona Public Media, Matthew Ehrichs of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs and David Robb of Plugerville High School.

LGBTQ teen finds her voice

Produced by
Kendra Amick, Richwood High School
Evan Aquinde, Maui Waena Intermediate School
Christopher Ediger, Vista PEAK Preparatory
Keenan Penn II, Fraser High School

Mentor support provided by Steve Bayless of Arizona Public Media, Leah Clapman and Matthew Ehrichs of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs and Jennifer Suzuki of Maui Waena Intermediate School.

Get in gear with electric bikes 

Produced by
Sydney Dempsey, Maui High School
Cesar Haros, Cedar Ridge High School
Jailen Leavell, Pleasure Ridge Park High School
Hannah West, recent graduate of Etiwanda High School

Mentor support provided by Steve Bayless of Arizona Public Media, Michael Conrad of Royal Oak High School, Matthew Ehrichs of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs and Will Holst, a recent graduate of the University of Arizona earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. 

D.C.’s backyard serves as a classroom

Produced by
Colten Birkland, Turtle Mountain Community School
Mercedes Ezeji, recent graduate of Pflugerville High School
Nicholas Hinojosa, Etiwanda High School
Danielle Link, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School

Mentor support provided by Steve Bayless of Arizona Public Media and Matthew Ehrichs of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs.

Fighting for those who fought for us

Produced by
Alexis Davis, Turtle Mountain Community School
Christian Guzman, recent graduate of South Mountain High School
Ty Koslowski, Etiwanda High School
Sydney Miller, Fort Mill High School

Mentor support provided by Steve Bayless of Arizona Public Media, Matthew Ehrichs of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs and Victor Hernandez of Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School.