MTHS again honored with national First Amendment Press Freedom Award

Posted: February 25, 2020 1348
MTHS journalism instructor Vince DeMiero.

For the ninth time, Mountlake Terrace High School has been honored with a First Amendment Press Freedom Award.

While the award is focused on the relationship between the student media and campus community, it is presented to the entire school “because of its commitment to the principles of the First Amendment,” said long-time MTHS journalism instructor Vince DeMiero, who advises the school’s Hawkeye and TEMPO publications. “None of this is possible without the concerted effort of all of us — students, staff, administration, district personnel, CTE staff, school board and community.”
MTHS was one of nine schools in the nation to be honored with the 2020 award. Winners were selected by a committee of representatives from the Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll International Honor Society.
This is the seventh straight year that MTHS has received the award, which will be presented to student representatives during opening ceremonies of the JEA/NSPA Spring National Convention in Nashville in April.

It recognizes private and public high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and responsibilities of students and teachers, with an emphasis on student-run media where students make all final decisions of content.

As in previous years, schools competed for the distinction by first answering questionnaires submitted by an adviser and at least one editor; those who advanced to the next level were asked to provide responses from the principal and all media advisers and student editors, indicating their support of the First Amendment. In addition, semifinalists submitted their printed policies.

“Your continued support of the incredible tradition we have here at MTHS goes all the way back to the school’s inception in 1960 and it is certainly unique to our region,” DeMiero said. “It is such an honor to live in this community and work at this school!”

Here’s a list of all 2020 First Amendment Press Freedom Award winners:

— The Archer School for Girls, Los Angeles.
— Chantilly (Virginia) High School.
— Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco.
— Kirkwood (Missouri) High School.
— McLean (Virginia) High School.
— Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California.
— Mountlake Terrace (Washington) High School.
— St. Louis Park (Minnesota) High School.
— Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia.

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