| Celebrating
high school journalism at its finest, CLASS! Publications
hosted more than 200 students, educators, parents and community
leaders at its sixth annual awards event on April 28 at the
Clark County Library Theater.
Along with the elegant, glass plaques awarded to the top
three journalists in 13 categories, first-place winners received
certificates of recognition from Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
In addition, Senator Harry Reid sent a letter of commendation
to be read to attendees, congratulating students on their
accomplishments.
Addressing the students in the keynote speech, guest speaker
Dr. Brian Cram, former Clark County School District superintendent
and current director of the Greenspun Family Foundation, focused
on the importance of journalism in education. He also encouraged
future journalists to take seriously their responsibility
to seek and report the truth and to defend their First Amendment
freedoms.
“A free society is absolutely dependent on a free press,”
Cram said. “It’s your job to protect that right
as responsible journalists.”
Students were also recognized for their contributions to
the Spanish poetry contest, Concurso de Poesía, featured
annually in the Diganos Spanish-language section of CLASS!.
Cash prizes were awarded in the amounts of $125 for first
prize, $60 for second prize, and $40 for third prize.
In addition to the awards, CLASS! also announced the winners
of its four scholarships: The Sandy Thompson Memorial Scholarship
for $10,000, funded by the Greenspun Family Foundation; two
MGM/MIRAGE Diversity Scholarships for $4,000 each, funded
by MGM/MIRAGE; and the CLASS! Student Journalist of the Year
Scholarship for $500.
CLASS! would like to congratulate all the winners and extend
our appreciation to all the students, teachers, administrators
and community members who have participated with our organization
this year. We also offer our heartfelt thanks to the Las Vegas
Sun and its staff for its continued support of CLASS! and
high school journalism in Clark County.
-Return to May 2004 Issue-
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