Styles and fads come and go, but one thing that NEVER goes out of style is the First Amendment. That is why for the past nine years SchoolJournalism.org invited students to enter the The First Amendment Matters PSA contest.
This year’s contest featured the theme “The First Amendment Never Goes Out of Style.” After a few weeks of reviewing the entries, our judges selected two winning teams hailing from New Jersey and West Virginia. 
The Grand Prize Winner is “No Matter the Hairstyle, Your First Amendment Rights Stick” by Margot Husson, Emma Haig, and Julia Hirsch of Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, N.J. Brian Smith is their adviser.
This PSA fits the theme and contest guidelines, while taking a clever look at the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment. The judges described the winning PSA as “a unique, well-executed, concise production.”
The Grand Prize winning team will receive a total of $100 in Amazon Gift Card(s) to use at their discretion courtesy of the East Central College, Union, Mo., Media Studies Program, along with prizes from SchoolJournalism.org and East Central College’s Media Studies Program.
Second Place goes to “Today’s Top Story” by Derek Roberts, Jacob Smith, Emma Stanley, and Cale Stutler who attend Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, W.Va. Their adviser is Beth Koreski.
Our judges felt that this PSA adhered to the contest’s theme and rules. It was well-researched and executed to cover all five freedoms while following the guidelines provided.
The Second Place team will receive $50 in Amazon Gift Card(s) for the winner(s) to use at their discretion courtesy of the East Central College, Union, Mo., Media Studies Program, along with a box of prizes from SchoolJournalism.org and East Central College’s Media Studies Program.
SchoolJournalism.org would like to thank all the schools who participated this year. We look forward to hosting this contest again in 2026.
We are looking for a new theme for 2026, so feel free to make suggestions!
Remember, the First Amendment matters.