Olinda Elementary students took home top honors at the 60th Annual California Student Media Festival (CSMF), the nation's oldest student media festival.
Olinda students brought home the Festival’s highest elementary honor, earning the Elementary Grand Prize for the documentary Claus von Stauffenberg, created by 5th grade student Mateo Sanchez from Miss Berner’s class. Mateo’s project also received the Elementary School Film/Video – Non-Fiction Award.
Judges, comprised of current and retired educators as well as industry professionals, praised Mateo’s documentary for its innovative choice of subject matter, thoughtful perspective, and impressive research. The project stood out among more than 500 student entries submitted from across California.
Olinda students also earned the Elementary School Audio/Podcast – Non-Fiction Award for their podcast about Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique. The award-winning podcast was created by 5th graders Liya Haridas, Megan Almazan, Carson Fan, Hazel Hyun, and Elijah Ng. Judges commended the students for their technical expertise, effective use of primary source content, and strong media literacy skills.
The winning projects were recognized during the California Student Media Festival awards ceremony held on May 23 at the Mark Taper Auditorium in the Central Library in Los Angeles.
"The Festival is designed to give students an authentic platform for their voices," said Festival Director Mike Lawrence. "Every year, we see students push themselves creatively and technically. These projects stood out as being among the best in the state."
These remarkable accomplishments showcase the creativity, critical thinking, research skills, and storytelling talents of Olinda Elementary students. Congratulations to Mateo, Liya, Megan, Carson, Hazel, Elijah, Miss Berner, and the entire Olinda Elementary community on this outstanding achievement!