The Sixth Annual First Amendment Matters PSA contest was challenging for our three judges. Unfortunately, over half of the entries did not follow the guidelines provided. It’s critical entrants follow the rules, in addition to showing a true understanding of what the First Amendment entails. 

After several rounds, the judges decided they cannot select one true “Grand Prize” honoree. However, they chose to do something never done before in this contest and declare a tie. Jennifer Mi of Castro Valley High School in California and Kaedyn Coker of Coral Springs Charter School in Florida will split the $100 Amazon gift card and prize pack. Both students not only followed the contest rules, but also shed light on the importance of the First Amendment. 

We’d like to thank our judges, as well as the contest sponsors who have contributed to this year’s contest: 

• the East Central College, Union, Mo., Journalism and Mass Media Program
• the Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting
• the University of Central Missouri’s School of Communication
• the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada-Reno