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. 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the competition and we invited middle and high school students to create a short documentary addressing the theme, “Looking Forward while Considering the Past.”

8th grade student Ben Kurian from Olentangy Liberty Middle School in Powell, Ohio won 2nd Prize for his documentary about career and technical education, “Who Do I Want to Be?” Ben also won the 2024 “Fan Favorite” award, garnering over 22,000 votes during a week-long period of public voting. As such, Ben will receive an additional $500 which brings his award total to $2,000 in prize money.

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

“For two decades, StudentCam has provided a platform for students across the country to share their voice on issues important to them and their communities,” said Adam Falk, Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs for Spectrum. “Like this year’s winning students, Spectrum is committed to strengthening the cities and towns where we live and work, and we congratulate Ben on his outstanding achievement in C-SPAN’s 2024 StudentCam competition.”

More Information:

• Press Release: Powell Student Wins Prize in C-SPAN’s National Video Documentary Competition (Google Doc)
• Article: Kurian places second in C-SPAN contest (Delaware Gazette)
• Article: Powell student wins prize in C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition (Spectrum News)
• Article: Central Ohio student wins national award for raising awareness of career education (10TV WBNS)
• Article: Olentangy Liberty middle schooler earns national honor for documentary (NBC4)
• Image: Ben Kurian (JPEG)