Moorestown Students Win Prize In National Documentary Competition

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Students and an instructor at Moorestown High School were honored in a national documentary competition hosted by C-SPAN.

The "StudentCam" celebration of the format is also in honor of America's 250th anniversary in July.

Students were challenged to demonstrate the enduring power and relevance of the Declaration of Independence through its influence on a key moment in the country's history or how its values touch on a contemporary issue.

"We feel like we see the spirit of America in our school and surrounding towns because we feel that we all have a very strong sense of community and belonging," students Ryan Shultz, Denison Truitte, and Raymond Zukowski told Patch.

The Moorestown team's submission, "Building From Ground Zero," presents the effects the terrorist attacks had on the nation, both during and after September 11, 2001.

Coupled with interviews from fire officials and a history professor, the group gave viewers a multi-generational perspective on one of the most impactful days in American history.

"We learned many skills in the process of making our video, mainly time management and communication," the students added.

This was the first-ever video competition the team submitted to.

"Communication is key, and this team found outstanding and impactful community contacts to interview," Jessica Noguera, an instructor who served as an adviser and mentor to the team, told Patch. "The students also grew in their storytelling abilities."

The Moorestown submission rose to the top percentage of more than 1,800 entries from around 4,000 students in 38 states and Washington, D.C. to earn an honorable mention recognition.

High school students competed on a regional level, while middle school students were judged on a national basis. The grand-prize winner was then chosen among all regions and grades.

This year's top slot went to Erynna Holbrook, an 11th-grade student from Troy, Michigan, whose entry, "The Pursuit of Fair Pay," details the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments on college sports.

A group of educators and C-SPAN representatives judged the projects based on theme, quality of expression, inclusion of varying sides of the topic, and the effective incorporation of C-SPAN programming.

"Each of their prize-winning videos is sure to spark meaningful reflections among viewers across the country and inspire future generations of filmmakers," added C-SPAN's Director of Education Relations Craig McAndrew.

The grand prize submission, along with each first prize entry, will air on C-SPAN this spring.

Grand prize, first prize, second prize, third prize, and honorable mention distinctions were also awarded with cash.

The competition, funded annually by the C-SPAN Education Foundation, has awarded more than $1.7 million over the last 22 years.

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