![Two students pictured with a friend and a family member,]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783452226/rectoryschoolorg/ux4ochyoujno9wi82mus/NPR250STUDENTPODCAST.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783452226/rectoryschoolorg/ux4ochyoujno9wi82mus/NPR250STUDENTPODCAST.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1783452226/rectoryschoolorg/ux4ochyoujno9wi82mus/NPR250STUDENTPODCAST.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1783452226/rectoryschoolorg/ux4ochyoujno9wi82mus/NPR250STUDENTPODCAST.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783452226/rectoryschoolorg/ux4ochyoujno9wi82mus/NPR250STUDENTPODCAST.png","width":1280}])
More than 700 students submitted a podcast to NPR‘s Student Podcast Challenge to honor and celebrate 250 years this Independence Day. Two students from Rectory School received honorable mention as they reflected on what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness mean to them. Each podcast is a unique and beautiful story from two entirely different perspectives, and they are well worth listening to. Full episodes are linked below.
Congratulations to two Rectory School students Allen S. ‘28 and Allayar M. ‘28 for their riveting and inspiring podcasts that received recognition from National Public Radio’s (NPR) Student Podcast Challenge. Mr. Barker’s seventh-grade class completed the term with the final task to create a podcast that combines all the lessons from the year. Students collaborated in groups and worked independently on this culminating experience, which uses history to understand and illustrate contemporary issues. Despite being younger than the average podcast host, these students demonstrate an appreciation for the opportunity that is well beyond their years.
In "How Is My Life Like In the US," Allen shares his journey of attending boarding school at the age of 11. He compares his education in China to his experiences at Rectory School, where he has transformed into his truest self, discovering new passions, forming lifelong friendships, and becoming part of a community that encourages free expression.
Allayar, on the other hand, addresses the question of what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness mean by contrasting his parents' upbringing in Uzbekistan with his journey in America. In "Two Worlds, One Dream," he explores the complexities surrounding these concepts. Is there a right answer? If so, which perspective could be deemed wrong? Allayar offers an inspiring and descriptive view of the opportunities he has come to appreciate more deeply through his parents' life experiences.
Once again, congratulations to these two students for their hard work throughout the year, and thank you for sharing your stories.
Read the full article from NPR here:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/03/nx-s1-5869537/student-podcast-challenge-america-250
Listen to "How Is My Life Like In the US" by Allen.
Listen to "Two Worlds. One Dream" by Allayar