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Senior Receives Robert F. Kennedy High School Journalism Award
Clayton High School senior Gwyneth Henke recalls her recent phone conversation with Ethel Kennedy, widow of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, as “surreal” and “amazing.” Over the phone, Kennedy told Henke, who serves as co-editor in chief of the CHS Globe Newsmagazine, how proud she was of Henke for her article, Eyes on Ferguson. Henke wrote the article to share multiple perspectives of those impacted by the shooting death of Michael Brown by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.
Kennedy was calling Henke to congratulate the CHS senior for being selected as the recipient of the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy High School Journalism Award in the High School Print category. The award is bestowed annually by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights to recognize outstanding achievement in journalism at the high school and college levels and for professional journalists. Entries to the competition focus on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy’s concerns, including human rights, social justice and the power of individual action.
“I really love history and the Kennedy legacy, and I am so honored to be connected to that legacy even in a small way,” said Henke.
Eyes on Ferguson served as the cover story in the September issue of the Globe. In the article, Henke used four different perspectives to inform audiences about how the city, region and country have been impacted by the incident.
“There was so much news coming out about it, and it’s such a complex issue,” said Henke. “I felt that using multiple perspectives would allow me to tell the story in an unbiased way. It was the best way for me to keep my opinions out of the story.”
View Henke’s article, and learn more about her award.
Kennedy was calling Henke to congratulate the CHS senior for being selected as the recipient of the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy High School Journalism Award in the High School Print category. The award is bestowed annually by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights to recognize outstanding achievement in journalism at the high school and college levels and for professional journalists. Entries to the competition focus on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy’s concerns, including human rights, social justice and the power of individual action.
“I really love history and the Kennedy legacy, and I am so honored to be connected to that legacy even in a small way,” said Henke.
Eyes on Ferguson served as the cover story in the September issue of the Globe. In the article, Henke used four different perspectives to inform audiences about how the city, region and country have been impacted by the incident.
“There was so much news coming out about it, and it’s such a complex issue,” said Henke. “I felt that using multiple perspectives would allow me to tell the story in an unbiased way. It was the best way for me to keep my opinions out of the story.”
Henke will travel to Washington, D.C., in May to receive her award from Ethel Kennedy at a special ceremony held at the Newseum. She will also receive a $500 cash prize and a bust of Robert F. Kennedy to present to Clayton High School.
Though Henke admits to being nervous about the ceremony, she added, “It will be amazing to meet the other honorees.”
View Henke’s article, and learn more about her award.