Healthmental
Middle schooler wins NPR podcast challenge with dyslexia story
Cora Walsh, a middle school student from Long Island, New York, spent years disliking reading before discovering the root cause of her struggles. Her journey has now earned her the top spot in the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge. Through her winning audio piece, Cora explores the challenges of living with undiagnosed dyslexia and the relief that finally comes with understanding the right diagnosis.