Chantilly High School journalism students earned the 2015 First Amendment Press Freedom Award from the Journalism Education Association. Photo by Ken Moore.
Chantilly High School journalism students earned the 2015 First Amendment Press Freedom Award from the Journalism Education Association.
“It’s a very prestigious award,” said Supervisor Michael R. Frey.
Frey and the Board of Supervisors recognized Chantilly’s program Tuesday, June 2 at the Fairfax County government center.
“I’ve learned more from journalism than I have in any traditional classroom. For that, I am eternally grateful,” said Rachel Palmer, editor in chief of the high school yearbook.
“Although I am honored to be acknowledged for this prestigious award, I find it troubling that such an award even exists,” she said. “The fact that so few schools are being recognized for such basic rights and necessities of journalism is disconcerting.
“Journalism unfortunately seems to be fading within the educational system and places where it is not fading, students are being banned and punished for doing what real journalists do: seek and report the truth.”
Student journalists at Chantilly “have the responsibility for the final decisions about content that actively supports, teaches and protects First Amendment rights and responsibilities for students and teachers,” said Frey.
Palmer described a project the yearbook engaged on to “seek out students we didn’t know” and that “reflected our diverse population at Chantilly High School.”
“There were stories of success: a girl who won the world dance championship and a freshman already taking A.P. classes; there were stories of passion: a world traveler and a teacher who spends his after school time performing on stage; there were stories of struggle: a boy facing criticism after coming out and a refugee from the middle east,” Palmer told the Board of Supervisors.
“The forum gave us new found insight about our peers that we never expected,” said Palmer.
“Congratulations to the students for the tremendous job they do,” said Frey.