Announcing the 2026–2027 Content Creation Fellowship Cohort

The PBS News Student Reporting Labs Content Creation Fellowship brings together a cohort of creative high school students who are passionate about storytelling and creating meaningful digital content. Fellows serve as creators for SRL, helping shape the organization’s social media presence while gaining hands-on experience in content strategy, video production, audience engagement, and digital journalism.

We’re thrilled to introduce our new cohort: eleven talented high school storytellers from across the country selected for their creativity, curiosity, and passion for connecting with audiences through digital media. Over the coming months, these fellows will collaborate with SRL staff and each other to produce content that informs, inspires, and connects young audiences — while offering valuable insight into youth culture and emerging trends that keeps SRL’s storytelling authentic and relevant.

 

Meet the 2026–2027 Fellows:

Isabella Fang — Rockville, MD Thomas S. Wootton High School, Grade 12

“Working with a station that cares about its youth and other creative high schoolers would be a dream come true.”
Will Sutter — Beverly, MA St. John’s Preparatory School, Grade 12

“I want to create edifying, valuable media (not content), and this fellowship would give me exactly that platform.”
Loren Barjis — Iowa City, IA Iowa City West High School, Grade 11

“I never want language—literal language or language gaps—to be what limits the knowledge of someone. I want to be a bridge between the known and the unknown for my peers.”
Valerie Sanchez — Arleta, CA Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, Grade 12

“I want to inform and unite audiences… I believe that unity and collaboration are the key components of what makes a team.”
Annalise Huang — Alamo, CA Monte Vista High School, Grade 11

“I’d love to experiment with different formats, learn more about content strategy and audience engagement, and bring experiences from my own community and personal life into work that can reach bigger audiences.”
Sangbrita Basu — Marlton, NJ Cherokee High School, Grade 12

“In a world full of blaring voices that yearn to be heard, I vowed to be the one who listens… I intend to move, capturing the raw feelings of others and giving them voice through published writing or videos.”
Aiden Turay — Washington, DC DC International School, Grade 11

“Being able to be a part of student-led content creation allows for me to express my ideas but in a way that would support others.”
Maddie Ng — Oak Park, CA Oak Park High School, Grade 12

“I want to use social media for more than just promotion. I want to use it to share the stories of the people I interview.”
Charlotte Mathias — Long Branch, NJ Communications High School, Grade 12

“If I can make someone stop scrolling because a post I made sparks their interest AND is fun, I will know I connected worlds beyond my own.”
Adil Kanal — San Mateo, CA Lick-Wilmerding High School, Grade 11

“I hope to leave the fellowship with stronger creative and communication skills, a better understanding of how effective digital campaigns are built, and a portfolio of work I’m genuinely proud of.”
Alyssa Pendon — Darien, IL Hinsdale South High School, Grade 12

“Creating stories about issues that matter is my favorite style of content creation… I enjoy understanding more about youth culture and being able to report on issues and phenomena within our society through social media.”

 

Congratulations to all of our new fellows — we can’t wait to see what you create!

As Content Creation Fellows, they’ll be creating original content for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, pitching stories that matter to young people, and regularly appearing on camera as interviewers, hosts, and creators representing Student Reporting Labs. Follow along on our social channels to see their work as the fellowship year unfolds.

Sign up to receive our newsletter and follow us on social media to hear about more opportunities to work with SRL throughout the year.