A powerful story from Texas high school students has taken the national stage, shining light on the ongoing opioid crisis and highlighting the voices of San Antonio’s own recovery community. This narrative offers a compelling look into substance use and its impact on young people and their communities.

Three students from Imagine International Academy of North Texas — Fernanda Le Duc, Tanvi Soni, and Abigail Currie — earned 2nd place in the High School West division of C-SPAN’s 2025 StudentCam competition with their documentary, “Confronting the Opioid Crisis: A President’s Prescription for Change.”

The annual StudentCam challenge invites middle and high school students across the country to create short documentaries on topics of national importance. This year, Fernanda, Tanvi, and Abigail’s work stood out for its compelling storytelling, thorough research, and courageous exploration of the opioid epidemic — a public health issue that continues to devastate families and communities nationwide.

Rise Recovery’s Voice in the Conversation

As part of their documentary, the students interviewed experts and community leaders, including Rise Recovery CEO Evita Morin, who shared powerful insights into prevention and the importance of early intervention.

“In Bexar County, the average first use is 12.5–13 years of age. That means we need to have that conversation at that time, or someone else will have that conversation with them,” said Morin.

Rise Recovery was honored to contribute to the project by offering perspectives on youth prevention, recovery support, and the urgent need for accessible services.

Young Leaders Driving Awareness

Through personal stories, policy analysis, and interviews, the documentary not only highlights the devastating impact of opioids but also amplifies the need for community-based recovery programs and comprehensive national policy changes.

By taking initiative on such a challenging issue, Fernanda, Tanvi, and Abigail are helping shape the conversation around substance use and recovery — proving that the next generation has a vital role in building awareness and driving change.

Rise Recovery’s Ongoing Mission

Rise Recovery continues to serve thousands of teens, young adults, and families each year through prevention, peer support, and recovery programs. We are also proud to host San Antonio’s first and only recovery high school, providing a safe and supportive educational environment for students in recovery.

We are deeply grateful for opportunities to partner with young leaders who use their creativity and passion to make a difference.

Watch the award-winning documentary on C-SPAN StudentCam

Learn more about Rise Recovery’s mission.