gsspa student chapter
As an aspiring journalist, I sincerely believe all reporters – students or otherwise – should have their First Amendment rights protected. In 2015, as a junior, I was elected the first student president of the Garden State Scholastic Press Association’s Student Chapter.
As president, I created a network of high school journalists who advocate for student expression rights in New Jersey. I facilitate online discussions every three weeks with the 60 students to discuss the members’ high school newsrooms, First Amendment rights, censorship and other journalism topics.
At the Garden State Scholastic Press Association's Fall Student Press Day at Rutgers University in October, as the president of the GSSPA’s Student Chapter, I chaired two panels discussing press rights for students and encouraging my fellow young journalists to network with their peers. Students’ rights activist, Mary Beth Tinker, was the keynote speaker and participated in our sessions.
Currently, the Student Chapter is advocating to pass a Free Expression Bill in New Jersey that ensures student journalists are granted their First Amendment freedoms.
