04/30/2026
Congratulations to Our StudentCam Winners!
Congratulations to 8th grader Shayaan Yousuf, who earned Second Place in the Middle School Division of C‑SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition, StudentCam. Congratulations as well to Colby Waters and Drew Pellerin from MISD’s Ben Barber Innovation Academy, who received an Honorable Mention for their outstanding work.
StudentCam encourages students to think critically about issues that impact their communities and the country. This year, students were asked to create a short video documentary related to the competition theme, “America’s 250th Anniversary – Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.”
Shayaan Yousuf’s documentary, “The Unfinished Promise,” examines how the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was tested during the Great Depression, renewed through Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, and continues to shape America’s ongoing struggle to create opportunity, dignity, and equality.
Colby Waters and Drew Pellerin’s film, “School Choice: Opportunity or Inequality,” examines the complex debate surrounding school vouchers, questioning whether they expand educational opportunities or deepen inequality for families who cannot afford private schooling.
We are proud of these students for their creativity, thoughtful research, and commitment to telling powerful stories about America’s past, present, and future.
