Tuesday, January 22, 2008

CONTACT: Alessandra Soler Meetze, Executive Director ACLU of Arizona, 602-650-1854 (office) or 602-418-5499 (cell)

PHOENIX - Continuing with its ongoing efforts to inspire young Arizonans to defend civil liberties, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona Central Chapter today announced the winners of the third annual Bill of Rights High School Essay Contest.

The essay contest challenged young people in Maricopa County to get creative about defending their rights and write an essay on student free speech issues, including tackling topics such as campus protests, dress codes and student newspapers.

Olivia Khiel, 15, a sophomore at Peoria’s Ironwood High School, took the $300 first place award with her 500-word submission. She is a student writer for the campus newspaper, “Eagle’s Eye,” and discussed the frequent censorship of student newspapers and the lack of articles about teen pregnancy, drugs, abortion, and other controversial subjects. She wrote: “This can inhibit a paper’s freedom of press, especially if it is an issue that affects or pertains to the student body. If there was more freedom of the press in school papers, more people might read them and feel connected to the issues the papers bring up.”

The $150 second place prize went to Tess Menzies, 17, a senior at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe. Her essay focused on what it’s like to be “dress coded” or reprimanded by school officials for violating school dress code policy. “School dress codes do not make the learning environment any better, and they often violate the student’s freedom of expression,” wrote Tess. “As American citizens we are allowed to show who we are in whatever way we choose. Whether it is through music, writing, or clothing, it is our right. The school administration can make rules to keep students safe, but a skirt is not harming anyone.”

“Oliva Khiel and Tess Menzies exhibited outstanding creativity and thoughtfulness in their responses to our challenge,” said Dan Hileman, Chair of the ACLU of Arizona’s Central Chapter. “In a time when many of our core freedoms are in jeopardy, it is encouraging to see young people defending civil liberties with such energy and imagination.”

Both students will be presented with their awards at a special event where the ACLU of Arizona also will screen an episode of its new television series, ACLU Freedom Files. In this episode, Youth Speak, young Americans tell their stories of how they stood up for their civil liberties.

The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 27, at the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, 2214 N. Central Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85004. (Just north of Cypress Street on the west side of the street. Across the street from the main entrance of the Heard.) A light buffet will be served. Free and open to the public. For more information, call (602) 650-1854 or email grassroots@acluaz.org

The ACLU of Arizona said the essay contest is a key part of its campaign to engage the next generation of civil libertarians. This ongoing effort continues with the launch of special web feature specifically geared toward students and youth (http://www.acluaz.org/Youth/youth.html).