WEST ORANGE, NJ - Rising West Orange High School junior Kayla Madison Burrowes was named one of 11 winners in the New York Times 7th Annual Podcast Contest. Winners were announced on June 28 from a field of 1,100 applicants. In addition to the winners, 12 runners-up and 35 honorable mentions were also announced.
“I just wanted to share that Kayla Burrowes was among 11 winners of the New York Times 7th Annual Podcast Contest,” said West Orange High School Journalism teacher Christina Biddle. “She made the podcast in my journalism class.”
For Burrowes, the past two years have been incredibly challenging. Following a bout with Covid-19, she was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). FND is a neurological condition caused by changes in how brain networks work, rather than changes in the structure of the brain itself, with Burrowes’ symptoms ranging from persistent dizziness, fatigue, severe headaches, and bouts of nausea and vomiting. Last summer, a Go Fund Me was set up for Burrowes to travel to Michigan to see a specialist. She continued to battle with the condition throughout her sophomore year.
“I’m pretty certain Kayla missed more school this year than she was present, “but somehow managed to complete every single assignment and exceed all expectations each time,” Biddle explained.
Kayla’s winning podcast, “Identity Fraud: Who Are You?” describes her journey to discovering and being her authentic self.
The podcast and additional information can also be accessed by clicking on the New York Times link HERE
or go to Sound Cloud HERE.
Kayla Burrowes
