ACLU of Kentucky

The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the winners of its Youth Activist Scholarship for 2006, including an award to Louisville high school senior Shannon Baldon.

Shannon is one of nine high school seniors from across the country, who will each receive a $4,000 college scholarship in recognition of their outstanding work to protect civil liberties, especially for young people.

Shannon will graduate this spring from Central High School Magnet Career Academy in Louisville.  She was nominated by the ACLU of Kentucky because of her growth into a leadership role. Shannon was instrumental in founding a student ACLU chapter at Central, a predominantly African-American school with a long tradition of creating leaders including elected officials, educators, physicians, and sports heroes such as Muhammad Ali.

Shannon is well on her way to joining the notable list of Central graduates - she plans to attend Berea College and then go on to law school so she can continue her fight for civil liberties.

The scholarships were first given in 2000 to honor the efforts of graduating seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights through some form of student activism.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and young people are keenly aware of threats to our rights and freedoms,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “The ACLU Youth Activist Scholarship gives a small reward for the great courage and determination shown by these young men and women.”

The accomplishments of this year’s winners include fighting to protect student privacy in regards to the military recruitment provision of the No Child Left Behind Act; keeping a school system desegregated; and educating peers about sexual health.

Read more about Shannon at http://www.aclu.org/students/25482res20060505.html