Teachers from across the country took the First Amendment Challenge, and 1 For All has awarded $1,000 to 40 of them for their outstanding lesson plans and student projects. The teachers’ innovative efforts helped educate hundreds of students about the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

“It’s been so gratifying to see centuries-old freedoms be taught in new and creative ways,” said Ken Paulson, founder of 1 For All and dean of the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University. “Freedom is what fuels our democracy, yet we take it for granted. We’re pleased to honor the teachers who engage a new generation with  thought-provoking lessons in liberty.”

The Challenge, administered by the American Society of News Editors, aimed to promote the teaching of First Amendment freedoms in secondary schools and honor teachers for their innovative efforts. To learn about the First Amendment, students completed creative and educational projects, including videos, posters, newspaper articles, editorials, raps, artwork and presentations, and some students even worked to support legislation that protects student press rights.

“All our entrants deserve acknowledgement of the fine work they are doing in their classrooms to ensure that all our students understand the freedoms that they have and how to exercise them,” said Teri Hayt, executive director of ASNE. “The First Amendment is first for a reason. Our founding fathers’ belief that everyone has the right to enjoy religious freedom, to speak freely, to report about their world, to peaceably protest and to petition the government was an essential building block for a democratic society.”

The Challenge was funded by a generous grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and administered by the American Society of News Editors’ Youth Journalism Initiative. The Journalism Education Association endorsed the Challenge.

1 for All is a national nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. 1 for All provides teaching materials and lesson plans at 1forall.us to help everyone learn more about their First Amendment rights. Follow 1 for All on Twitter @1forallus.

ASNE’s Youth Journalism Initiative, launched in 2000, is committed to helping students learn why news matters and acquire the skills needed to succeed as 21st-century citizens. The Initiative invests in the future of journalism and democracy by providing resources and training in youth journalism; news, information and media literacy; and the First Amendment and civic education. Learn more at schooljournalism.org, or follow the Youth Journalism Initiative on Twitter @YouthJournalism.

The American Society of News Editors focuses on leadership development and journalism-related issues. Founded in 1922 as a nonprofit professional organization, ASNE promotes fair, principled journalism; defends and protects First Amendment rights; and fights for freedom of information and open government. Leadership, innovation, diversity and inclusion in coverage and the journalism workforce, youth journalism, news literacy and the sharing of ideas are also key ASNE initiatives. Learn more at asne.org, or follow ASNE on Twitter @NewsEditors.

Contact
Le Anne Wiseman
Director, ASNE Youth Journalism Initiative
573-884-2689
[email protected]

1 For All First Amendment Challenge winners

Teachers

Sara Badalamente

Grand Ledge High School

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Michelle Balmeo

Monta Vista High School

Cupertino, California

Candace Brandt

Providence High School

Charlotte, North Carolina

April Catuogno

Emerson Junior-Senior High School

Emerson, New Jersey

Serge Danielson-Francois

Divine Child High School

Dearborn, Michigan

Annette Deming

Don Antonio Lugo High School

Chino, California

Kristen DiGiorgio

Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School

Bradley, Illinois

Victoria Eby

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School

Chardon, Ohio

Mitch Eden

Kirkwood High School

Kirkwood, Missouri

Carrie Faust

Smoky Hill High School

Aurora, Colorado

Mark Ford

Casco Bay High School

Portland, Maine

Deborah Garner

Central High School

Springfield, Missouri

Elizabeth Granger

Lawrence Central High School

Indianapolis, Indiana

Lauren Gutierrez

Ray D. Corbett Junior High School

Schertz, Texas

Steve Hanf

R.J. Reynolds High School

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Heather Jancoski

South Mountain High School

Phoenix, Arizona

Shelley Job

Hanover-Horton High School

Horton, Michigan

Lori Keekley

St. Louis Park High School

St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Jennifer Kim

San Gabriel High School

San Gabriel, California

Jordyn Klackner

Francis Howell North High School

St. Charles, Missouri

Shannon Kuehmichel

Berlin High School

Berlin, Wisconsin

Kimberly McCarthy

Mother of Divine Grace School

Ojai, California

Jeremy Murphy

West Fargo High School

West Fargo, North Dakota

Sarah Noah

Goshen High School

Goshen, Indiana

Peter Paccone

San Marino High School

San Marino, California

Kim Pekala

Coral Springs Charter School

Coral Springs, Florida

Jo Phillips

Ripley High School

Ripley, West Virginia

Nicholas Popadich

Grand Blanc High School

Grand Blanc, Michigan

Margaret Robertson

St. George’s Independent School

Collierville, Tennessee

Rosa Rodriguez

Sunset High School

Dallas, Texas

Kelly Savio

Dos Pueblos High School

Goleta, California

Sarah Segal

Hood River Middle School

Hood River, Oregon

Brandie Simmons

Roncalli Catholic High School

Omaha, Nebraska

Sue Skalicky

Century High School

Bismarck, North Dakota

Stacey Stamps

Trinity Academy

Wichita, Kansas

Kymberli Wregglesworth

Onaway Secondary School

Onaway, Michigan

Amelia Wright

West Morris Central High School

Chester, New Jersey

Paige Young

East Jackson Comprehensive High School

Commerce, Georgia

Teacher groups

Ryan Alpers and Ileana Straus

Abraham Lincoln High School

San Jose, California

Kym Atkins, Rebecca Gemmell and Becky Rudeen

Escondido High School

Escondido, California

First Amendment Schools

Freedom Area High School

Freedom, Pennsylvania

Mission Hills High School

San Marcos, California