Louisiana Teen Wins C-SPAN Award for Powerful Short Film

Congratulations to Luke Hargrave, a College Street Vocational Center student in Lake Charles, Louisiana! Luke has earned national recognition as a third-prize winner in C-SPAN’s prestigious 2025 StudentCam Competition, taking home a $750 prize for his compelling documentary, "Too Addicted to Change".

His film explores the impact of addiction and its far-reaching effects on individuals and communities. Ironically, Luke featured himself and how his parents' addiction has destroyed their lives.

Luke’s achievement is a testament to the talent and dedication of young minds in Louisiana. His teacher and adviser, Britney Glaser, also receives well-deserved recognition for guiding students through this challenging and meaningful project. Watch Luke's award-winning short film, "Too Addicted to Change," below.

What is StudentCam?

Each year, C-SPAN challenges middle and high school students nationwide to create documentaries addressing issues they find most important. The 2025 theme, “Your Message to the President: What Issue is Most Important to You or Your Community?” encouraged students to dive deep into real-world topics. Out of over 1,700 entries from 42 states and Washington, D.C., Luke’s documentary stood out as one of the best.

The most popular topics covered in this year’s competition included:

• Climate, Environment, and Land Use
• Education Policies and College Costs
• Health Care and Mental Health
• Gun Violence and School Safety
• Inflation and the Economy
• A Louisiana Talent Making Waves

C-SPAN’s Director of Education Relations, Craig McAndrew, praised the winners, stating, “These students have created powerful documentaries that explore critical issues in thought-provoking ways. Their work sets a high bar and will inspire future filmmakers.”

Luke’s win brings pride to Lake Charles and highlights the importance of young voices in shaping national conversations. His success showcases the creativity and passion found in Louisiana’s students.

Supporting Young Filmmakers

The StudentCam competition, funded by the C-SPAN Education Foundation, has awarded over $1.6 million in prizes since its inception in 2004. C-SPAN partners with local cable providers like Optimum to ensure students have access to public affairs programming and educational resources.

Optimum Senior Vice President Jen Ostrager applauded the winners, saying, “It’s inspiring to see students engage with issues that matter to them and their communities. We are proud to support programs that encourage critical thinking and active participation in shaping the future.”

Watch the Winning Film

Luke Hargrave’s documentary won the top prize, along with the other top-winning films, which are available for viewing at studentcam.org. These films are not only impressive but also provide valuable insights into the minds of the next generation.

Celebrating Louisiana’s Future Leaders

This incredible achievement by a Lake Charles student reminds us of the bright future ahead. Luke’s passion and creativity set an example for students across Louisiana and beyond. Who knows? The next great filmmaker or journalist could be sitting in a classroom right here in our own backyard.