The NEHS Advisory Council is very proud to announce the winners of the 2023-2024 Intellectual Freedom Challenge. The standard of writing this year was highest in recent memory and that, coupled with more submissions to the Challenge than ever before, made the final decisions of the evaluation team very difficult. However, nine winners from across the United States and beyond were chosen for the quality of their writing and their strong argument for the freedom to seek and to express ideas through the writing and reading of literature.
Intellectual Freedom Challenge Winners 2023-2024
Speaking Out: Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak
Evelyn Binoy
American International School of Monrovia, Monrovia, Liberia
True to the Family: Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home
Sachin Chandra
BASIS Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
The Birds and the Bees—Why Censoring Sex Education Endangers Rather than Protects: Robie Harris and Michael Emberley’s It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health
Gabrielle Kellner
Pattonville High School, Maryland Heights, MO
The Importance of Hearing Unspoken Voices: Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy
Stephanie Hall
Oswego East High School, Oswego, IL
Animal Farm against Orthodoxy: George Orwell’s Animal Farm
Frida Navarro
PrepaTec Eugenio Garza Sada, Monterrey, Mexico
The Light that Casts Out Darkness: Kalynn Bayron’s Cinderella is Dead
Imari Owens
Gerstell Academy, Finksburg, MD
Taking Responsibility for the End of the World: Kira Jane Buxton’s Hollow Kingdom
Zayla White
The Woodlands College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX
A Literary Key to Understanding the Reality of Gang Violence Among Youths: S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders
Amber Wilson
Union Grove High School, McDonough, GA
Each winning student receives a $100 Crafton Award from NEHS and an official certificate. Their Chapter Advisors receive a $50 award in recognition of their support for their students’ right to read. Learn more about the Intellectual Freedom Challenge.
More from NEHSXpress: December 12, 2023
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Mastery/Standards-Based Evaluations Focus Group
Digital Certificates
Holiday Closure
Graduation Regalia, Induction Ceremony Merchandise, and Limited-Edition Apparel
