Free to Tweet
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5 students win $5,000 scholarships
WASHINGTON — Five students who tweeted about how they enjoy exercising their First Amendment rights as part of 1 for All’s national “Free to Tweet” celebration of the First Amendment will receive $5,000 college scholarships to continue their education.
The winners’ entries were judged as the best from more than 3,600 tweets sent during the 15-day celebration and scholarship competition. The competition was organized by the Newseum’s First Amendment Center, 1 for All and the American Society of News Editors, with funding provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, “Free to Tweet” is designed to increase public awareness of how much First Amendment freedoms affect our daily lives.
The winning students from across the nation — Anthony Jackson, Kyndall Mills, Samantha Lena Rosenthal, Marissa Paige Smith and Amanda Wolfgang — were selected based on the creativity and relevance of their tweets.
Anthony Jackson is a student at Ridgeway High School in Memphis, Tenn., and plans to study economics and computer science at the University of Chicago. Jackson is deeply interested in how the global economy connects people and his tweet encouraged Americans to express their First Amendment rights more by speaking out on issues.
“The government can’t be of the people, by the people, or for the people if they don’t know what the people want. Speak up & out. #FreeToTweet”
Kyndall Mills will study elementary education, specializing in reading, and play volleyball at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, starting this fall. During the 2012 presidential election, she developed a passion for activism, which led her to the Free to Tweet campaign. “The First Amendment rights are at the heart of what the United States stands for at its core,” said Mills.
“Free 2B Christian. Free 2B Jewish. Free 2B Muslim. Free 2B Agnostic. Free 2B Atheist. Freedom Of & From Religion. #FreeToTweet @freetotweet”
Samantha Lena Rosenthal is currently studying journalism at the University of Central Florida. She hopes that new media platforms will “allow for more open environments for opinions and making sure our voices are heard.” Rosenthal’s tweet was fitting for a journalism student.
“Pen & paper may not be free, but the words we choose to write are. #FreedomOfPress #JournalismFreedoms #FreeToTweet”
Marissa-Paige Smith is studying communications arts and sciences at Penn State University. She minors in media studies and rhetoric and is the co-editor of Problem Child Liberty Magazine, an on-campus publication. Smith’s tweet addressed the right to petition.
“The right of petition means citizens get the chance to make the government reconsider. #FreeToTweet”
Amanda Wolfgang is a junior at Central Bucks High School West in Doylestown, Pa., and plans to play softball at the collegiate level while pursuing a career in actuarial science. Wolfgang’s tweet focused on the right to peaceably assemble.
“The freedom to assemble gives Americans the opportunity to be heard when a single voice is not loud enough.#FreeToTweet”
“It was truly heartening to see so many young people celebrate America’s oldest values,” said Ken Paulson, founder of 1 for All and president of the First Amendment Center. “We congratulate all the winners and thank the many teachers and parents who encouraged students to participate in this nationwide exercise of free speech.”
Each winning message can be seen at 1forall.us/freetotweet/winners. @freetotweet2012 will tweet the winning entries during the coming days.
“Free to Tweet” scholarship entries were judged by First Amendment experts and educators who support 1 for All, an educational and public service campaign created to build understanding of the First Amendment and its five distinct freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly and petition.
For more information on the ongoing 1 for All campaign, to join its mailing list, or to learn more about upcoming programs, visit www.1forall.us.
About 1 for All
1 for All is a nonpartisan, educational campaign that was launched in 2010 to address a general lack of awareness by the American public about the five freedoms afforded by the First Amendment. Initial support for campaign was provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Newseum, McCormick Foundation, American Society of News Editors, First Amendment Center and Gannett Foundation. In addition, more than 1,000 news organizations, religious groups and educational institutions have devoted their time and resources in support of the 1 for All campaign. More information at 1forall.us.
About the Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. More information at knightfoundation.org.
About the American Society of News Editors
The American Society of News Editors focuses on leadership development and journalism-related issues. Founded in 1922 as a nonprofit professional organization, ASNE promotes fair, principled journalism, defends and protects First Amendment rights, and fights for freedom of information and open government. Leadership, innovation, diversity and inclusion in coverage and the journalism work force, youth journalism and the sharing of ideas are also key ASNE initiatives.
[...] Read more here. [...]
[...] can win a $5,000 scholarship by participating in Free to Tweet, a celebration of First Amendment rights funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and [...]
We all have a freedom to speak our minds, to express what we feel. Freedom should be all about making wise chooses in life !! Freedom of speech !!
[...] The First Amendment advocacy organization, 1forAll, launched its Twitter campaign, #freetotweet, offering a $5,000 scholarship prize rewarding young people for creative and inspiring posts about [...]
[...] Dec. 15 – 1 for All ‘Free to Tweet’ $5000 Scholarship [...]
how do get in the competition
[...] Amendment Center’s Free to Tweet scholarship competition begins Dec. 1 and runs 15 [...]
[...] on Dec. 15 will be holding an event called “Free to Tweet”. They invite students ages 14 to 22 to tweet their support for the First Amendment with the hash [...]
[...] Free to Tweet « 1 for AllThis is such a great way to inform people about the first amendment!!! (: by Coral Toben December 15, 2011 at 7:37 pm. Reply. 1st Amendment I can tweet my … [...]
[...] information on why this is important as well as a chance at scholarship funds, visit the web page at http://1forall.us/freetotweet/. This information includes how to support the First Amendment and teach it to all in [...]
Have winners been notified yet? Will they soon?
How will the winners be notified?
I put that website I help out my son pto and if I won I wound help out at his school he is only 5 so I have many years to help I’m him room mom and I’m in the class a few time a week it is a little hard I have to drive my husband to work to make to school in time we only have one car
have winners been announced yet?
We’re awaiting final judging.
Have the winners been notified? If not, is there a timetable for the announcements?
I can’t wait to hear who the scholarship winners are!
When do we find out if we won the competition?
great experience.
Will semi-finalists be notified?
We are free to tweet
[...] Show your support for our First Amendment rights: freedom of speech, religion and the press, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition the government. Encourage students from 14 to 22 to compete for one of 22 $5,000 scholarships in the “Free to Tweet” competition. [...]
usa
Fight for YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Freedom to tweet
On Nov. 21, Emma Sullivan, a senior at Shawnee Mission East High School in Kansas tweeted, “Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot.” Thus, Sullivan unknowingly sparked a firestorm about freedom of speech and social media networks.
Sullivan was attending a Youth in Government Program in Topeka, Kansas where Governor Sam Brownback was speaking at when she sent her tweet.
Brownback’s office monitors social media networks for postings that include the governor’s name and when they saw Sullivan’s tweet contacted the youth program coordinator who then contacted Sullivan’s principal.
Sullivan was called into her principal’s office and told that she needed to write an apology to Brownback. But in a strange turn of events, Brownback is now finding himself the one to issue an apology.
“My staff overreacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize. Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms,” said Brownback in a statement released Nov. 28.
Sullivan, who’s followers on Twitter went from 62 to over 15,000 people, has been using the social media site to continue to bring awareness to the topic; tweeting, “I’ve decided not to write the letter but I hope this opens the door for average citizens to voice their opinion & to be heard! #goingstrong.”
This public example of freedom of speech is a great tool to teach others about the protection of their First Amendment rights. In a day and age where anything and everything can be posted for the public to view and comment on, it is important to teach not only teenagers and children, but adults as well about freedom of speech and the use of technology, when it is combined.
Sullivan’s tweet, regardless of how harsh it may sound, is protected under the First Amendment.
Under the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Freedom of speech does not just protect a person when they say something to a person’s face. It means that, like Sullivan, they can tweet an opinion, or post a status and as long as their actions don’t put others in danger their freedom of speech is protected.
Freedom of speech has always come under fire, from freedom of speech in films (Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v. Wilson; 1952) to preventing a school district from disciplining a high school student for giving a lewd speech at a school assembly (Bethel School Dist. No. 403 v. Fraser; 1986).
Freedom of speech is granted to every citizen in the United States but as society becomes more involved with online social media, freedom of speech is sure to be targeted more frequently.
Sullivan is well within her First Amendment rights and, although she may receive some dislike for what she said, she is protected and allowed to voice her own opinion.
High school students across America should take note about freedom of speech and the use of the internet because it is easier today then it was twenty years ago to get in serious trouble for comments posted online.
Caitlin Ortiz, a college student, got in trouble with her softball coach, in June, after posting a picture of herself and lyrics from Big Sean and Chris Brown’s song, “My Last.” She reportedly lost her scholarship and was kicked off the softball team at her school.
Sullivan, just like Ortiz, is doing the right thing by taking a stand and making a point. Sullivan didn’t do anything wrong, but tweeted her own opinion and yet she got in trouble for it.
Taking a stand and promoting the protection of First Amendment rights is important and it takes strong individuals to do that.
Twitter on Dec. 15 will be holding an event called “Free to Tweet”. They invite students ages 14 to 22 to tweet their support for the First Amendment with the hash tag #freetotweet. This will enter them in a competition to win a $5000 scholarship.
However, anyone is welcome to tweet and show their gratitude for the first amendment rights and Twitter is already getting big name celebrities to join in, such as, Ke$ha, Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley.
The First Amendment needs to be protected because it is essential to the freedom of every citizen in the country. If it comes to making an individual’s story public to help bring awareness to a cause than that may just need to happen.
As Sullivan tweeted, “”First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” –Gandhi.”
Students: “Rise up, stand up. Stand up for your rights!”
The 1st Amendment is perfect for any country. It was one of the most important things that have ever happened to the Earth. Without it we could not protest what we think is right, get together with friends and do things that you love, the quartering soldiers would be everywhere, and ect. If we did not have the 1st Amendment the US would be a disaster or possibly the Apocalypse of the US.
the first amendment was actually not the first amendment proposed in the original bill of rights #freetotweet #loumhs
I think that people should be able to say what they want and how they want them. There is no body that can stop them. It is a free country and we will leave it that way. Music is the best especially country music. I really like it, so leave them alone, because it is their songs and however they want them they can have them. So good luck to all you country singers and also all the other singers.
This is such a great way to inform people about the first amendment!!! (:
1st Amendment
I can tweet my thoughts
The first ammendment allows you to express your views on whether or not you believe capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment; supported by the eithth ammendment of the constitutuon.
I totally agree with the 1st amendment…freedom of speech!
The fact that i can say anything at anytime is AMERICA
What if you’re between 14-22, but are not a student. Can you still win?
Happy Birthday Bill Of Rights!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL OF RIGHTS! 220 years ago the Bill of Rights were created by James Madison. They were created to give us our independence from Britain. The first five rights we have stated in the first amendment are freedom of religion, assembly, speech, petition, and press. Those have to be some of the important rights we could have ever in our life. These amendments help us be the people we are today. Without them this world we live in would be mad or somewhere near it. This scholarship would help my family and I get the education that every young adult should have. My family does not have a lot of money, so I have to get scholarships to go to college. This would be one of the best things that has ever happened.
Fight the fight on the local front, too. http://ow.ly/80prg
Happy Birthday Bil of Rights! 220 years ago a man by the name of James Madison created the Bill of Rights for freedom of assembly, religion, speech, petition and press.
today we wish a happy birthday to the bill of rights its 220th birthday for all the rights it gives us as people of the U.S.A we will never forget the day that these rights were given to us.
Happy 220th birthday Bill of Rights! Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
[...] this future photojournalist’s entry into the Knight Foundation & 1 for All’s ‘Free to Tweet’ [...]
[...] contest, dubbed “Free to Tweet” started at midnight today, and the rules are simple – send a tweet with the hashtag [...]
[...] education) and organized by 1 For All, the unique scholarship competition is aptly titled, Free to Tweet. It’s only open to students age 14 to 22. And it’s only happening on Thursday, Dec. 15 [...]
[...] Dec. 14, 2011 – Nashville, TN – Christian music favorite Jason Crabb has added his name to the list of artists and celebrities speaking out in support of the 220th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Jason joins lauded musicians Wynonna, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, The Civil Wars, Heart, John Oates, Joe Nichols and more. A full list of supporters can be found here: http://1forall.us/freetotweet [...]
[...] Dec. 14, 2011 – Nashville, TN – Christian music favorite Jason Crabb has added his name to the list of artists and celebrities speaking out in support of the 220th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Jason joins lauded musicians Wynonna, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, The Civil Wars, Heart, John Oates, Joe Nichols and more. A full list of supporters can be found here: http://1forall.us/freetotweet [...]
[...] by tweeting with #FreeToTweet on December 15, 2011!For more information about the contest visit 1 For All.Follow J-School Buzz on Twitter and Like us on Facebook About Cody Lee Heyveld A Broadcast [...]
Wow, was hoping as a middle of the roader, would qualify. Good luck to those who do in this contest.
Happy Birthday Bill of Rights. This is 220 years now and the bill of rights deserves a Happy Birthday!
[...] Jarosz, Joe Nichols, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brad Paisley, The Civil Wars, and more are taking to Twitter tomorrow, on National Bill of Rights Day, in celebration of the First [...]
[...] “Free to Tweet” effort encourages students ages 14 to 22 to share on Twitter how they enjoy their right to free [...]
[...] on Dec. 15 will be holding an event called “Free to Tweet”. They invite students ages 14 to 22 to tweet their support for the First Amendment with the hash [...]
[...] following is an entry in the “Free to Tweet” competition. It was submitted using the true identity of @PrezHuddleston (in accordance with [...]
[...] MONEY BY TWEETING: there’s a 1st Amendment Tweeting contest next Thursday, Dec. 15. Details are here. Ke’sha’s doing it. Brad Paisley’s doing it. C.E.’s doing it. You [...]
[...] Dec. 15, the Knight Foundation is sponsoring Free to Tweet, encouraging everyone to tweet about the value of the First Amendment by sending a tweet with the [...]
[...] by Frank LoMonte of SPLC, about students’ First Amendment rights.Related Resources on the Web:1 for All: Free to Tweet A national campaign promoting First Amendment rights. The Web site includes teaching resources, a [...]
[...] Show your support for our First Amendment rights: freedom of speech, religion and the press, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition the government. Encourage students from 14 to 22 to compete for one of 22 $5,000 scholarships in the “Free to Tweet” competition. [...]
[...] So Blake will be one of several celebs taking part Dec. 15 in the center’s “Free to Tweet” contest. [...]
[...] campaign is launching an innovative promotion called “Free to Tweet,” to encourage young people to celebrate the First Amendment on that date. Students who tweet [...]
[...] actividades de ese programa, han lanzado un concurso dirigido a jóvenes de entre 14 y 22 años, Free To Tweet, que los involucre en la difusión de las libertades que la Primera Enmienda [...]