Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project to Recognize Educators, Students, and Community Members for Activism and Service

Brian Stirgus, student organizer of Chicago Public School closing boycott, to be given Mary Beth Tinker Award by Mary Beth Tinker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 2013 – Brian Stirgus, the 17 year-old who organized hundreds of students to boycott Chicago Public School closings, will be among the activists, educators, students, and community members recognized by American University Washington College of Law’s Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project for their support of public education and civic engagement.

The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project mobilizes law students to teach courses on constitutional law and juvenile justice in public high schools in the District of Columbia, and closes each school year with the William H. Karchmer End-of-Year Celebration. This year’s celebration will be held Wednesday, May 15 at 9:30 a.m. at American University Washington College of Law in room 603. View the agenda.

This year’s awards & awardees include:

  • Mary Beth Tinker Award (Presented by Mary Beth Tinker) - Brian Stirgus, founder, Chicago Students Organizing to Save our Schools
  • Principal of the Year - Dr. Ian Roberts, principal, Anacostia High School
  • Community Partner Award - Sandra Rose, social studies supervisor, Prince George’s County Public Schools
  • Community Partner Award - Scott Abbott, social studies specialist, District of Columbia Public Schools
  • Alumnus of the Year - Claire Griggs, Education Law Fellow, Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, American University Washington College of Law Education Law

Area high school students will also be awarded for student activism through journalism, community service, and winners will be announced for the Project’s annual essay, poem, t-shirt design, and art competitions.

“The Marshall-Brennan Project has revitalized the role of law schools in America as the engines for promoting the public’s constitutional and civic literacy," said Maryam Ahranjani, associate director, National Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project. "We send dozens of law students into D.C. and Prince George's County public schools to teach and motivate hundreds of students each year.”

Sponsors of the celebration include the William H. Karchmer Endowment, Bernstein Family Foundation, and The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.

Media interested in attending the celebration should contact Megan Smith, public relations coordinator, 202-274-4276 (w) or 202 - 556-9196 (m).

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The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project mobilizes talented second- and third-year law students to teach courses on constitutional law and juvenile justice in public high schools in the District of Columbia. This movement for constitutional literacy is rooted in the belief that students will profit for a lifetime from learning the system of rights and responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution. The Marshall-Brennan Teaching Fellows work with public school teachers, administrators and lawyers to teach students their rights as citizens, the strategic benefits of voting, how lawmaking occurs and other fundamental constitutional processes. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu/marshallbrennan.