C-SPAN Honors Browne Academy Students for Standout Documentaries

Representatives from C-SPAN and Cox Communications visited Browne Academy to recognize three 8th grade students whose powerful submissions were honored in the 2025 StudentCam documentary competition.

Jon Brioché earned Third Prize for Freedom to Fear: Balancing Rights with Reform, a compelling exploration of gun control and gun violence in America. Ava Nuckols received an Honorable Mention for Wrongfully Convicted, which examined the wrongful incarceration of people of color and the systemic inequities behind it. Danya Ousman was also celebrated for her role in the project, earning a win in the “Behind the Scenes” Photo Sub-Competition for her creative contributions throughout the process.

This national competition invites middle and high school students across the country to create original short documentaries based on a theme. This year’s prompt, “Message to the President,” encouraged students to explore issues they believe the next U.S. President should prioritize. Over 3,000 entries were submitted nationwide, making the recognition even more meaningful.

As part of the school-wide celebration, the Browne community gathered in the CAPA to watch the award-winning documentaries and hear from the students themselves. Officials from C-SPAN and Cox shared insights about the competition and opened a conversation with the students, inviting them to speak about their chosen topics and the personal significance behind their work. Each student spoke with honesty and conviction—offering a window into months of research, writing, interviewing, and editing.

These documentaries are more than just class assignments—they are the culmination of months of hard work and deep inquiry, completed under the mentorship of Middle School History Teacher Alissa Kharkar. The project is a core part of the 8th grade humanities curriculum, designed to help students engage thoughtfully with real-world issues and build the skills to communicate their ideas with clarity and purpose.

“This project pushes students to wrestle with complex, often uncomfortable topics,” said Kharkar. “They’re not just gathering facts—they’re learning to ask questions, think critically, and use their voices. I’m so proud of the way they showed up in their work.”

Browne Academy has a proud history of success in the StudentCam competition, with multiple students over the years receiving national recognition for their work. The program has become a hallmark of the 8th grade experience—challenging students to dig deeper, take ownership of their learning, and contribute meaningfully to public dialogue.

Congratulations to Jon, Ava, and Danya on this remarkable achievement. You’ve made Browne—and your community—proud.