Ruth (Dixie) Jokinen Student Activist Award

2005 - Jennifer Musgrove

Jennifer Musgrove was vigilant throughout her high school career in taking an active and vocal stance for separation of church and state and exercising her right not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. She was a student plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging an ultra-religious church venue for her public school graduation ceremony. Jenn was an honors student in high school who received the Florida Bright Futures Medallion Scholarship, and will be attending Brevard Community College.

Jenn, her father David, and co-plaintiff Dianna Narciso won their lawsuit on October 25. The school board agreed not to hold graduation ceremonies in churches or other institutions where religious iconography is visible, inside or outside the building, and even to pay American United's attorneys' fees! The settlement affects not only Jenn's high school but Bayside, Eau Gallie, and Melbourne.

Jennifer accepted her student activist award at the 28th annual convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 12, 2005.

For the acceptance speech, click here.

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