As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, NPR asked students across the country to reflect on the moment and create podcasts about the American experience. We received over 700 entries, featuring conversations with immigrants, veterans, government officials, and notable figures like Gloria Steinem.
Voices of Young Citizens
From fourth graders to high schoolers, students shared their perspectives on what ‘life liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ means to them. Some podcasts highlight personal stories of immigration, while others explore historical events like the Battle of Monmouth and the Underground Railroad.
Winning Entries
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**Abridged:** Grace Kepka and Angelika Garrett (Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Md.) discuss the power of youth voting and its importance in local elections.
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**Civics in Our Schools:** A group of fifth graders express concern over the lack of quality civics education and brainstorm ways to become better citizens.
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**Leaving Greece:** Livie Courser interviews her grandfather about his experience immigrating to the United States and the opportunities it offered.
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**Researching the Underground Railroad:** Travis Bozeman and Oliver Heering explore the history of the Underground Railroad and its significance.
