Teen Contender: An Audio Diary of One Girl’s Fight Inside and Outside the Ring

Radio Diaries’ storytelling philosophy that “ordinary life is newsworthy” is beautifully represented in the story of 16-year-old Olympic boxing contender Claressa Shields, who tells her audio diary: “I have this dream. I’m in England, London, and it’s the finals in the Olympics. I can hear the announcer –- I mean, they’re going to say, like: ‘And the first woman Olympian at 165 pounds is Claressa Shields.’” Sports as a means of overcoming adversity is a common trope, but what makes Claressa’s story different is the sport she chose: boxing. Powerfully told, Claressa’s tale of triumph is a model for disadvantaged teen-agers who too often lack positive, articulate role models. Claressa and her story of struggle and perseverance come alive on NPR’s Radio Diaries. For its cultural relevance, excellence in audio storytelling, and inspirational quality, Teen Contender: An Audio Diary of One Girl’s Fight Inside and Outside the Ring receives a Peabody Award.