The Student Press Law Center sponsors several awards for those fighting for press freedom.

The Student Press Law Center and the National Scholastic Press Association are cosponsors of the Courage in Student Journalism Awards.

The two awards recognize a middle school or high school journalist and a media adviser or school administrator who have stood in support of the First Amendment. The student journalist and adviser or school administrator need not be from the same school.

• The first award is presented to a student journalist who has shown determination, despite difficulty or resistance, in lawfully exercising his or her First Amendment press rights.

• A second award is presented to a student media adviser or school administrator who has demonstrated support, under difficult circumstances, for the First Amendment press rights of his or her school's student media.

To enter: To nominate yourself or someone else, submit a written description (not to exceed 600 words) on how the nominee's circumstances meet the entry criteria, along with any relevant supporting materials or press clips and two letters of support. All support material should be copied onto 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Each entry should also include a 3x5 card with the name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the nominee. It is sometimes necessary to contact a nominee during the summer, so include summer contact information if it is different.

Deadline for entries: Entries must be postmarked by August 1, 2009, to be considered for this year's award.

Presentation of awards: Awards are presented during a ceremony at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association fall convention.

Frank LoMonte
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209

Phone: (703) 807-1904

E-mail: flomonte at splc dot org

College Award

Along with the Associated Collegiate Press, the SPLC co-sponsors the College Press Freedom Award to recognize the college student or student news medium that has demonstrated outstanding support for college press freedom. The College Press Freedom Award is presented at the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Advisers national fall convention. (Before 2001, the award was presented to high school students as well and was called the Scholastic Press Freedom Award). The College Press Freedom Award winners receive a plaque recognizing their achievements.

To enter: To nominate yourself or someone else, submit a written description (not to exceed 600 words) of how their situation meets the entry criteria described above, along with any relevant supporting materials or press clips and letters of support.

Deadline for entries: Entries must be postmarked by August 1 of each year for consideration for that year's award.

Presentation of awards: Winners will be recognized during a ceremony at the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Advisers fall convention.

Submit materials to:

Scholastic Press Freedom Award
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209-2275

Phone: (703) 807-1904

E-Mail: flomonte at splc dot org

Winners of Courage in Student Journalism Award

2008 (SPLC News Flash, 11/12/2008)

• Jaishri Shankar and Rachel Wagner, The Rockville High School Rampage, Rockville High School, Rockville, Md.
  
• Peter Daddone, adviser, Rockville High School, Rockville, Md.
• Debra Munk, principal, Rockville High School, Rockville, Md.

2007 (SPLC News Flash, 11/5/2007)

• Eric Sheforgen, The Crier, St. Francis High School, St. Francis, Minn.
  
• Amy Sorrell, Woodlan High School, Woodburn, Ind.

2006 (SPLC News Flash, 11/13/2006)

• Claire Lueneburg and Sara Eccleston, KODAK, Everett High School, Everett, Wash.
  
• David Clark, principal, Columbus North High School, Columbus, Ind.

2005 (SPLC News Flash, 11/4/2005)

• Whitney Basil, Eric Gentry, Zach Kroh and Jeremy Willis, Eagle Eye, DeSoto High School, Desoto, Texas
  
• Carol Richtsmeier, adviser, DeSoto High School, Desoto, Texas

2004 (SPLC News Flash, 11/22/2004)

• Darcie Draudt, Tim Yaczo, Kendra Oyer and Vasanth Ananth, The Wooster Blade, Wooster High School, Wooster, Ohio
  
• No administrator award given

2003 (SPLC News Flash, 11/24/2003)

• Katherine Dean, The Arrow, Utica High School, Utica, Mich.
  
• No administrator award given

2002 (SPLC News Flash, 10/15/2002)

• Holly Ballard, Prospective, Bryant High School Alexander, Ark.
  
• Dr. Julie Leeth, principal, Hillcrest High School, Springfield, Mo.

2001 (SPLC News Flash, 11/9/2001)

• Beth Covington, Thomas Silvers, Erin Grantier and Rachel Johnson, The Chatterbox, George Washington High School, Danville, Va.
  
• Thomas Wachnicki, principal, Avon High School, Avon, Ind.

Winners of College Press Freedom Award (Scholastic Press Freedom Award before 2001)

2008 (SPLC News Flash, 10/17/2008)

• The Montclarion, Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J.

2007 (SPLC News Flash, 10/30/2007)

• Darryl D. Smith, The Gramblinite, Grambling State University, Grambling, La.

2006 (SPLC News Flash, 10/31/2006)

• Viking News, Ocean County College, Toms River, N.J.

2005 (SPLC Winter 2005-06 Report)

• Katie Lane and Sarah Rice, The Collegian, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.

2004 (SPLC News Flash, 11/4/2004)

• The Script, Hampton University, Hampton, Va.

2003 (SPLC News Flash, 11/10/2003)

• The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

2002

• No award presented

2001

• Capri Coffer, editor, The Thorobred, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Ky.

2000

• Muleskinner, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Mo.
  
• Nick Edwards, Stinger, Adolfo Camarillo High School, Camarillo, Calif.

1999

• Lee Davidson, The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.

1998

• Ben Powers, The Central Voice (independent publication), Central High School, Phoenix, Ariz.

1997

• The Miami Student, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

1996

• Michele Ames, Minnesota Daily, Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn.
  
• Jaguar Journal, Blue Springs South High School, Blue Springs, Mo.

1995

• Stacey Burns, Hawkeye, Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.

1994

• Daily Bruin, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif.

1993

• Lion's Roar, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, La.

1992

• The Red & Black, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
  
• Jana Studelska, Northern Student, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minn.
  
• Hi-Spots, Tigard High School, Tigard, Ore.

1991

• The Kirkwood Call, Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Mo.

1990

• Traci Bauer, Southwest Standard, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo.

1989

• Sean McNamara, Duquesne University, Duquesne Duke, Pittsburgh, Pa.

1988

• The Epitaph, Homestead High School, Cupertino, Calif.

1987

• David Arnett, Horizon, Tulsa Junior College, Tulsa, Ok.

1986

• Manny Sferios, Not for Profit (independent publication), St. Petersburg High School, St. Petersburg, Fla.

1985

• Adam Truitt, The Lumberjack, Humboldt State University, Arcata, Calif.

1984

• Cathy Kuhlmeier, Leslie Smart, Leanne Tippett, Hazelwood Spectrum, Hazelwood East High School, Hazelwood, Mo.