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five RadioActive youth media stories honored with national awards

June 26, 2020

Seattle, WA -- KUOW's RadioActive Youth Media program helps youth discover public radio journalism, gain access to skills and resources to help them grow as media makers, and share their voice. This week, five stories produced by young people in the program were recognized with national awards.

Below, learn more about each of the winning stories. We are so proud of the youth who produced these stories and grateful to KUOW Members who make this program possible!

The Association of LGBTQ Journalists Excellence in Journalism Awards

RadioActive participant Lucas Galarneau won the Excellence in Education Coverage Award for his story on the experiences of LGBTQ youth at Seattle's alternative NOVA high school. The NLGJA Excellence in Journalism Awards were established in 1993 to foster, recognize and reward excellence in journalism on issues related to the LGBTQ community. Lucas' story competed with entries from all over the country. It is the first time a RadioActive story has won this award.

Winner: Excellence in Education Coverage

When unwanted questions drove us out of school, Nova welcomed us

By Lucas Galarneau

Mentored by Kyle Norris

Edited by Liz Jones

caption: In middle school, other students would ask Lucas why he was trans, or what was in his pants, or if he was going to get surgery. When he transferred to Nova High School, things were different.
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In middle school, other students would ask Lucas why he was trans, or what was in his pants, or if he was going to get surgery. When he transferred to Nova High School, things were different.
KUOW IMAGE/LUCAS G.

New York Times Student Podcast Contest

RadioActive participants were also honored in the New York Times 3rd Annual Student Podcast Contest. The stories were chosen out of over 1,300 entries from around the country.

Winners

Hiding In Plain Sight: My Life As A Homeless Teen

Story by Michelle Aguilar Ramirez

Mentored by Andrew Stuckey

Edited by Carol Smith

caption: Michelle Aguilar Ramirez is a high school student in Renton. She experienced homelessness at age 13.
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Michelle Aguilar Ramirez is a high school student in Renton. She experienced homelessness at age 13.
Courtesy of Michelle Aguilar Ramirez


How One Transgender Dancer Challenges the Bollywood Binary

By Keya Roy

Mentored by Kyle Norris

Edited by Caroline Chamberlain Gomez

caption: Evon Mahesh dreams of teaching Bollywood dance to kids in a way that focuses on rhythm and movement, not gender.
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Evon Mahesh dreams of teaching Bollywood dance to kids in a way that focuses on rhythm and movement, not gender.
KUOW PHOTO/Keya Roy


Runner's Up

Hijabis on the Soccer Field: This Teen Founded a Camp for Muslim Girls Like Her

By Ayesha Mohammed

Mentored by Sonya Harris

Edited by Marcie Sillman

caption: Noor Aamir, the founder of a soccer camp for Muslim girls.
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Noor Aamir, the founder of a soccer camp for Muslim girls.
KUOW PHOTO/Ayesha Mohammed


Teens Are Using TikTok to Warn Each Other About Sex Trafficking. But the Reality Is Way Different

By Jadenne Radoc Cabahug

Mentored by Kyle Norris

Edited by Anna Boiko-Weyrauch