Maui Entry Earns Award in C-SPAN Competition

By Wendy Osher

A team from Maui High School was recognized for their entry into the C-SPAN national 2014 StudentCam video competition.

Juniors Austin Michael Alimbuyuguen and Joseph Griffith earned an Honorable Mention award and $250 for their documentary on income inequality, C-SPAN announced.

It was among the more than 2,355 videos submitted this year, and one of two entries from Hawaiʻi that were recognized for their work in the competition.

The other winning Hawaiʻi entry was submitted by Punahou School junior, Matthew Shimura, who earned 2nd place and $1,500 for his entry about clean energy entitled, “Breaking the Gridlock,” according to the announcement.

The national competition is open to middle and high school students who are tasked with producing a 5 to 7 minute documentary on a national policy issue.

“StudentCam serves as a yearly reminder that young people are not only passionate about issues of national significance, but their ideas and opinions are also worthy of our consideration,” says Craig McAndrew, C-SPAN Manager of Education Relations in a press release.

Popular issues covered this year included poverty, unemployment, the national debt, gun legislation, and education.