2024 WOJ Youth Reporter Award Finalists

High School Documentary

When the Devil Smoked in Paradise

By: Katherine Liao - Sage Hill School

In a city where the median home price is $1.8M and land costs $6M per acre because it is “The Safest City in America,” few know that tucked away in a hillock, a secret “All American Asphalt” plant is quietly belching 221 pounds of benzene and 1,800 pounds of formaldehyde every year.

Tale of Two Stations

By: Daniel Halpern - DCTV Youth Media

A Documentary on the problems with the MTA's prioritization of multi-billion dollar pet projects over other urgently needed improvements.

Heavy in The Hand

By: Eleanor Larimer

A familial self-portrait piece that explores the significance of everyday objects, revealing the memories they hold and the stories they tell.

LOLA

By: Pierce Devin Gerety - DCTV Youth Media

A documentary from the perspective of a grandchild exploring his grandmother's legacy as an aid worker.

Expedition Amana - AIM High School

By: Mason Le, Kai Smith, Julian Goodman, Niki Wallin

Adventurer Jin Ishikawa designs and builds a reed boat like the early Polynesians and is going to sail it from San Francisco to Hawaii.

Plant Serenade

By: Jacob Chan

A certain sentient bee from a certain Dreamworks movie once asked someone the question, “Ya like jazz?” Jacob's gonna break it to you: every plant in your garden’s been asking you the same question.

High School Narrative

Gone

By: Hunter Nickless - Governor's School of the Arts

Luca, a teenage boy navigates life through his new surroundings, life lessons, and clouded memories.

Fear of Drowning

By: Luna Adams - DCTV Youth Media

A self-portrait piece that explores the facets of sexuality, identity, and growing up. Following streams of consciousness of my thoughts paired with unique images.

System Failure

By: Robert Munic - Kids in the Spotlight

While contemplating his future, a teenage boy is forced to publicly address a painful secret.

Run

By: Brandon Broady | Kids in the Spotlight

The writers wanted to tell a unique and authentic story about mental health

Middle School Documentary

Sustainability

By: Finn DeWitt - The Sustainability Laboratory

Finn takes us through a time machine into two possible futures—each depicting the potential outcome of choices we make today regarding our treatment of the planet.