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KQED Selects Student Podcasts for Election Series
Three SHP sophomores’ work included in national ‘Let’s Talk About Election 2020’ project
From creating podcasts for a national audience to Zooming live presentations to mock elections and more, a bipartisan group of Sacred Heart Prep students have been admirably preparing the Sacred Heart high school community for today's historic election by covering the issues, the people, the platforms, and the processes that make up our national election system. And though most are not old enough to cast a ballot this time around, they are focused on helping ensure their fellow SHP students are "all in" on tonight's historic election as well as future participation in America's democracy. Taking it to the "next level," the following students are capitalizing on their burgeoning activism and political interests, securing even greater opportunities to make a difference for this and future generations. This is story one of three.
Today three SHP sophomores’ politically-minded podcasts were selected for KQED’s “Let’s Talk About Election 2020” series; the media outlet chose to feature approximately 800 high school student voices from nationwide submissions, as of this publication.
SHP’s entire sophomore class (plus some seniors) participated in the project, drawing from their studies of Frederick Douglass's activism “and his ability to write beautifully and persuasively for a cause,” following a reading of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, says SHP English teacher Lisa Harper, one of several teachers who headed up the coordinated project.
The three students’ podcasts selected for the program are:
Chiara Thomas (SHP ’23) Immigration Law
For the project, students learned to identify rhetorical appeals in English class, and chose an election issue to inspire a 400-word podcast that included ethos, pathos, and logos. The KQED format allowed students to hone database research and citation skills, and select reputable articles to advance their position.
Students often drew from personal experience when writing their podcast, and two of the selected podcasts focused on the immigration experience. “Being raised by immigrant parents, I understand the struggle that immigrant children would have to go through,” said Harold Nguyen (SHP ’23). “Although I'm not an immigrant myself, I have also encountered discrimination about my ethnicity.”
Fellow sophomore Chiara Thomas focused her podcast on the immigrant experience and privilege. “Having experienced the strenuous immigration process firsthand is what made me passionate about immigration rights. I remember the difficulties my family experienced [immigrating from France], and I hate to imagine what those less privileged must have to go through in order to have access to a better life.”
“[Producing the podcast] made me realize that I can make more of a difference than I thought I could,” she added. “Even though I won't be able to vote once I turn 18, my voice is still heard and I can continue to use it to influence my future.
Sophomore Tristyn Girouard’s podcast advocated to lower the voting age to 16, arguing that teenagers are “subject to and victims of [broken systems] that only adults have the power to repair.” Citing scientific studies that young people are cognitively capable of making informed decisions by the age of 16, Girouard explained “[teens] deserve a say in the political conversation when we are both capable of it, and deserve it. My generation deserves to impact the future when the future impacts my generation.”
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12
