2 Students, Principal, Win 'Courage in Journalism' Awards

[flowomo]

By E&P Staff
Published: November 03, 2006 4:00 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Two students from Everett High School in the state of Washington and former principal David Clark of Columbus North High School in Indiana have been awarded the 2006 Courage in Student Journalism Awards by the Newseum, the Student Press Law Center and the National Scholastic Press Association.

The Courage in Student Journalism Awards are presented each year to student journalists and a faculty administrator "who have demonstrated exceptional determination and support for student press freedom, despite resistance or difficult circumstances...."


The winners really stood up for their rights. Check out the story at:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003352324

[flamingyouth]

1. Great story

I was familiar with the students from Everett High but hadn't heard about the principal. Thanks for posting. :thumbsup:

[flowomo]

2. you're welcome... as the advisor to a college newspaper....

I know how hot it can get for the students.

[flamingyouth]

3. Yeah, I was editor of both my high school and college papers.

We had problems in both places, but it was worse in high school. When we wanted to write about abortion (this was the '80s), holy crap! We took a rash of you-know-what from a handful of very vocal parents. But our adviser and principal stood up for us. So thanks for all you do. :hi:

[silverlib]

4. Wow!

These students and principal certainly are to be admired.

One of the lessons I'm trying to teach my daughter is that changes cannot be made in society unless we make ourselves vulnerable. These three certainly did and the world is a better place.

[flowomo]

5. that's an important lesson! And don't forget....

this is just this year's award. I've followed this award for years and you'd be amazed at the courage that kids show year in and year out.

[SeattleGirl]

6. Kudos to the students and the principal for standing up for the

First Amendment! :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. I find it sad that awards such as this exist

A free student press should be a given, not an exception.

I've been a vocal advocate of a free student press for years. I think every newspaper should "adopt" at least one high school publication and foster it, as a baseball club does with its minor league affiliates. But it's difficult to convince publishers of this, as they're afraid supporting students in such controversy as at Everett High School would make them seem "liberal."

Far too much censorship of student publications goes on in the U.S. — and not just at high schools. Many cases are documented at the Student Press Law Center site.