Herricks Student Named Finalist in NPR Student Podcast Challenge
Herricks High School freshman AyaSophia Abdrabo was selected as a finalist in the NPR Student Podcast Challenge. (L-R): Herricks Middle School teacher Mr. Michael Heit and AyaSophia Abdrabo.
“Part-Time Egyptian” podcast art.
AyaSophia Abdrabo editing her podcast “Part-Time Egyptian.”
By Williston Post Staff
The Herricks School District proudly congratulates AyaSophia Abdrabo, a freshman at Herricks High School, for being selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2024 National Public Radio (NPR) Student Podcast Challenge. AyaSophia’s creative and heartfelt podcast, titled “Part-Time Egyptian,” was developed during her time as an eighth grader at Herricks Middle School, where it stood out among over 2,000 entries from across the United States.
AyaSophia created her podcast as the final project in the Content Creation Foundations class, guided by teacher Mr. Michael Heit. "Part-Time Egyptian" is an audio storybook that delves into AyaSophia’s personal experiences as an Egyptian-American teenager. Through candid interviews with her mother, stepfather, and grandmother, AyaSophia explores her deep connection to both Egypt and the United States, and the challenge of navigating two distinct cultures. Her podcast thoughtfully questions whether she must choose one identity or find a way to embrace a hybrid of both.
“We are so incredibly proud of AyaSophia and grateful that she chose to share a glimpse into her family and culture with her fellow students and our Herricks Studios podcast audience,” said Mr. Heit. “Her story was truly told from the heart and had an authentic quality that will resonate with countless students from multicultural families and backgrounds living throughout America.”
AyaSophia’s podcast was one of just ten middle school finalists selected from a pool of entries that showcased the creativity and storytelling talents of students nationwide. Her unique and personal perspective, combined with the authenticity of her storytelling, made “Part-Time Egyptian” a standout project.
This recognition by NPR highlights AyaSophia’s exceptional talent in content creation, as well as her ability to share personal and cultural narratives that resonate with a wide audience. Herricks School District celebrates her achievement and looks forward to hearing more from this talented young storyteller.
