8th grade student Max Mendes from The Davis Academy in Atlanta, Georgia won 3rd Prize in the Middle School Division of the 2026 C-SPAN StudentCam documentary competition for their video titled, “Liberty For Sale: Who Really Has A Voice In America?,” about campaign finance. As a 3rd Prize winner, Max receives $750 in prize money.
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. 2026 marked the 22nd year of the competition and in this semiquincentennial year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we asked students in grades 6-12 to create a short (5:00-6:00 minute) video documentary on either a historical or contemporary topic that related to the competition theme, “America’s 250th Anniversary”
Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.
C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable, satellite television and streaming companies, who also support StudentCam. In Atlanta, C-SPAN is available locally through Comcast.
Press:
- Press Release: Atlanta Area Students Win Prizes in C-SPAN’s National Documentary Competition (Google Doc)
- Article: Atlanta Students Win Prizes in C-SPAN Contest (Atlanta Jewish Times)
StudentCam 2026 3rd Prize: "Liberty For Sale: Who Really Has A Voice In America?"
Congratulatory Messages and Recognition
Senator Raphael Warnock
University at Albany, SUNY Poli-Sci Prof. Michael Malbin
