2022 First Prize High School Central – “FEMA’s Impact on Our Lives in Southwest Louisiana”

StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. The competition, now in its 18th year, invited all middle and high school students to enter by producing a short documentary asking students to explore a federal policy or program and address the theme: “How does the federal government impact your life?”

Students Jason Boudreaux, Jaleaha Joseph, & Shontenaisha Manuel from College Street Vocational Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana won 1st Prize for their documentary on the Federal Emergency Management Agency and disaster recovery following Hurricanes Laura and Delta, “FEMA’s Impact on Our Lives in Southwest Louisiana.” The team will share $3,000 in prize money.

C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable and satellite television companies, who also support StudentCam. In Lake Charles, C-SPAN is available locally through Suddenlink.

“Suddenlink is proud to partner with C-SPAN on StudentCam, which provides our future leaders with the opportunity to have their voices heard,” said Michael Shaffer, regional vice president of Suddenlink. “We applaud Jason, Jaleaha and Shontenaisha for their creative and thoughtful documentary that captures the impact of severe weather events on the Lake Charles community.”

More Information:

• Press Release: Lake Charles Students Win Prize in C-SPAN Video Documentary Competition (Google Doc)
• Article: Local students win C-SPAN documentary competition (American Press)
• Article: Lake Charles Students Win Prize in C-SPAN Video Documentary Competition (Bossier Press Tribune)
• Infographic: Jason Boudreaux, Jaleaha Joseph, & Shontenaisha Manuel (JPEG)