Thomas Jefferson Student Activist Award

2007 - Matthew LaClair

Matthew LaClair Photo by Brent Nicastro

Matthew LaClair was a 16-year-old junior whose American history teacher has acted more like a preacher than a teacher. Matthew's actions to protest religion in his public school made headlines in the New York Times and across the country for six months, until his complaints were settled in the spring of 2007.

Matthew accepted his student activist award at the 30th annual convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 13, 2007.

For the acceptance speech, click here.

Recipients: