11th grade student Ione Saunders from Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania won 3rd Prize in the High School Eastern division for her documentary, “Disappeared in America.” As a 3rd Prize winner, Ione will receive $750 in prize money for her win.
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. 2025 marked the 21st year of the competition and in this presidential inaugural year, we asked students to explore and analyze matters of personal, local or national importance by addressing the theme — “Your Message to the President: What issue is most important to you or your community?”
C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable and satellite television companies, who also support StudentCam. In Philadelphia, C-SPAN is available locally through Comcast.
Press:
- Press Release: Philadelphia Area Students Win Prizes in C-SPAN’s
National Documentary Competition
(Google Doc) - Article: National documentary contest winners include Philly-area students (Billy Penn at WHYY News)
StudentCam 2025 3rd Prize: "Disappeared in America"
Congratulatory Messages and Recognition
Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro
Philadelphia Board of Education President Reginald L. Streater
