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TS Programs End with Fun & Games

True Star’s fall session programs wrapped up 2025 with an all-program kick-back at True Star HQ.

True Star Media recently wrapped up our 12-week fall session for our video production program in Bronzeville, our podcasting program at BBF, and the broadcasting program at Corliss High School. To close out the session at True Star HQ, a brief award ceremony took place to celebrate the stand out stars. Afterwards the teens enjoyed a kick-back where games were played and fun was had.

Kailyn Brown was named the Star Student for the video production program.
Trinity Moore shares details about the BBF podcast projects her group worked on.
BBF instructors Paris Cannon and Bree Specific compete in a game of checkers.

One of the students recognized at the event was video production participant Charyah Franklin. The Lane Tech junior took home first place honors in True Starโ€™s mini documentary competition. This was her first session with True Star and she definitely made the most of her time with us. โ€œMy experience at True Star has been truly an inspiration and unique experience,โ€ said Franklin. ย โ€œI liked the small projects we did and I loved how comfortable and chill the environment was. It was really enjoyable and always something I looked forward to during the week, not to mention your always around people your age that are interested in the same thing you are.โ€

Chyarah Franklin holds the camera she won after coming in first place for her mini documentary.

Franklin told True Star that she viewed creating the mini doc as an opportunity to explain her self-discovery. โ€œWhen I was first told about the project my mind immediately went to my evolution as me. This journey is the reason I am how I am today. It held such an important roleย in my life. I wanted to share that journey with everyone because sometimes people need a little push from others to develop. I didnโ€™t have that push. Instead I had myself and peace, but not everyone can automatically embrace that peace like I did, so sharing my story felt like more of a mission than an average short video.โ€

Franklin added, โ€œWinning this competition was a genuine surprise for me because I hold myself at unrealistic standards and I thought that my documentary wasnโ€™t first place worthy. But seeing how everyone else actually liked it made me look at it from a different light, a brighter light at that.โ€

You can watch Franklinโ€™s video below or check it out on the True Star YouTube channel.

 

By True Star Staff

Our Voice, Activated! is a call to action for all of us to stand with Chicago’s youth. When you invest in True Star, you are directly supporting young people in finding their voice, building their confidence, and learning how to use their creativity as a tool for impact and opportunity. Activate your voice by donating today.

Written by TrueStar Staff

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