Yesterday, the Journalism Education Association awarded Harker’s journalism programs its First Amendment Press Freedom Award. Harker was one of just 16 high schools nationwide to receive the award, which is given annually to high schools that uphold First Amendment rights for students and teachers through student-run media. Awardees are chosen by representatives from the JEA, National Scholastic Press Association and Scroll International Honorary Society. Harker received the award for the first time last year.

“The three-month-long application process incorporated two rounds and required statements from publication advisers, student editors and administration,” said journalism director Whitney Huang. “We believe that this award validates Harker Journalism’s commitment to civic engagement hand-in-hand with the embodiment of Harker’s mission statement.”

All of the schools that received the award will be recognized at the Spring JEA/NSPA High School Journalism Convention, which will take place April 20 in San Francisco.