The fifth annual New Voices Student Leadership Institute kicked off this year with a record number of states represented. Thirty-two students from 20 states joined SPLC staff members and special guest speakers to learn about the New Voices movement and how they could be leaders in their state’s efforts toward student press freedom.
During the free online program, students engaged in a wide range of activities meant to enhance their leadership and organizing skills and develop their role with the New Voices movement. They participated in workshops on op-ed writing and creating an effective advocacy strategy, and they had conversations with experts on press freedom. Among this year’s guest speakers were lifelong student rights activists Mary Beth Tinker and Cathy Kuhlmeier, staff from the Freedom of the Press Foundation, Jeremy Redmon from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and several Institute alumni, who returned to inspire the new class of student leaders. Each guest emphasized the importance of student voices in this movement and beyond, and guided students on how to use their voice to pass legislation that protects their First Amendment rights.
After spending two weeks learning from SPLC team members, special guest speakers and one another, this new group of New Voices student leaders are ready to put their new skills into action in their states.
Carina Nicodemus is one of these students. Nicodemus is a senior at Montgomery Blair High School in Maryland where she is a co-editor-in-chief for the student paper, Silver Chips Print. She shared her experiences at the Institute and what comes next in her advocacy work.
After attending a lesson on copyright law with the Student Press Law Center, I was inspired by their mission and I looked for other opportunities to get involved with the organization. When I learned about the New Voices movement on the SPLC website, I realized how lucky I am to live in Maryland — a state that values student press and protects student journalists from censorship.
I joined my student newspaper because I wanted to share the important, but often overlooked, stories that unfold in schools. The Maryland New Voices Act ensured that my story about administrative missteps in allocating funding to our school could be brought to light, without fear of retaliation. I was inspired to apply for the New Voices Student Leadership Institute to learn how to advocate for my peers who don’t have censorship protection.
During the Institute, I enjoyed hearing from other student activists who are currently fighting for New Voices legislation in New York, Nevada and South Dakota. But, my favorite part was when speakers Mary Beth Tinker and Cathy Kuhlmeier joined to talk about their landmark cases for student free speech — Tinker v. Des Moines and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. Before hearing them speak, I had only thought of these cases while studying for a quiz, or writing an essay in the confines of my government class. Listening to their stories made me feel recognized as a student and an advocate, but it also cemented the reality of the case outcomes. It exposed how unprotected my fellow student journalists were from the consequences of sharing the truth.
But, the most important thing I learned from the Institute was not to lose hope for our movement. While the fight is long, even small actions can lead to progress.
– Carina Nicodemus
Educating student journalists about their protections in states that have New Voices legislation also continues the movement by spreading awareness. With the help of the SPLC and the knowledge I’ve gained from the Institute, I plan to host workshops for student journalists in my state to learn about their rights so that they can fight back against illegal censorship. Student journalism should be about sharing the stories and experiences of human lives, connecting with the student body and surrounding community. I’m grateful to SPLC for the experience the Institute has given me, and I’m excited to join the ongoing effort to protect student journalists!
Learn more about how you can take action to restore and protect student press freedom in your state.