Students attending high school across the United States and its territories participated in the competition.

The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is pleased to announce the winner and honorable mentions of the Quizstory Podcast Award, a national student competition developed in collaboration with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History as part of the America&Spain250 initiative. The Quizstory Podcast Award is made possible through the generous support of the International Studies Foundation (ISF), CIS University, and Iberdrola.

The winners are:

Elodie Colón and Magnolia Walsh

from the Benjamin Franklin High School in Louisiana

Designed to encourage high school students across the United States to engage directly with history through primary sources, the competition invited participants to produce original short podcasts exploring key figures and events connected to the shared history of Spain and the United States. The submissions received reflect a high level of rigor, creativity, and thoughtful analysis.

The winning students are awarded a unique cultural experience in Spain through participation in a summer program along the Camino de Santiago thanks to the support of the International Studies Foundation and CIS University. This 10-day journey offers an immersive introduction to Spain’s history, culture, and landscapes, while fostering exchange and connection with fellow students from the United States and Spain.

Given the exceptional quality of the submissions received, the selection committee decided to recognize additional outstanding entries with five Honorable Mentions. These podcasts demonstrated a remarkable level of research, creativity, and engagement with primary sources, reflecting the depth of talent and dedication among participating students.

Congratulations to all the students!

This award is made possible thanks to sponsorship of CIS University, the International Studies Foundation, and Iberdrola.