12th grade students Bryant Johnston, Sam Stay, & Benjamin Schulz from Albert Lea High School in Minnesota won 3rd Prize in the High School Central division for their documentary, “Energy in America.” As 3rd Prize winners, the team will split $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. 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 Albert Lea, C-SPAN is available locally through Spectrum.
Press:
- Press Release: Albert Lea Students Win Prize in C-SPAN’s National Documentary Competition (Google Doc)
- Article: Albert Lea students receive national, local recognition for documentary video submitted to C-SPAN competition (Albert Lea Tribune)
StudentCam 2025 3rd Prize: "Energy in America"
Congratulatory Messages and Recognition
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN)
Second Ward Councilmember Larry Ward congratulates Bryant, Sam and Benjamin
