Michigan student wins 2024 FOI Award for pushing for school board transparency

The Student Press Law Center and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project are proud to honor Michigan high school journalist Julia Roeder with the 2024 Student Freedom of Information Award. 

Roeder, of The Tower at Grosse Pointe South High School, sought to bring greater transparency to a third-party investigation into former school board president Ahmed Ismail’s alleged efforts to push out two school administrators in the district. 

“Roeder’s pursuit of these records is a warning to school board officials and administrators everywhere — student journalists are the watchdogs over your work,” SPLC Executive Director Gary Green said. “They are here to hold you accountable when others are no longer paying attention. Roeder demonstrated maturity and courage beyond her years and serves as an inspiration for all student journalists.” 

The honor was announced Nov. 9 at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Through a public records request, Roeder obtained and reported on a two-page summary of the investigation’s final report, revealing details about the incident. When her request for the full report was denied, she worked with attorneys at the Student Press Law Center and locally to pursue an appeal.

At a lively public hearing considering the appeal, two board members praised Roeder and the student newspaper.

“The FOIA request was just brilliant. I know that we’re doing something right — our teachers are doing something right — because these kids in this program, The Tower, are just phenomenal, brilliant,” said school board member Colleen Worden, a government attorney with public records experience. “And I want to really give a shout out to them for taking the initiative in writing really well written FOIA requests, the law they cite is great. They are going to be excellent future journalists.”

Worden and board member Valarie St. John, who also praised The Tower, voted to release the report, but a majority voted to keep the report secret and deny Roeder’s appeal.

Brechner FOI Project Director David Cuillier said Roeder is a model for all journalists, not just student reporters, in challenging government decisions on behalf of the public. 

“It’s particularly noteworthy for student journalists, who are often taught to be quiet and do what they’re told,” Cuillier said. “All of us need to bolster training and legal support for the next generation of journalists — the future of democracy is at stake.”

Roeder said that while she ultimately did not learn what was in the full report, it was worthwhile to pursue the story. Her reporting helped bring the public’s attention and scrutiny to the board’s actions, and board member Ismail chose not to run for re-election.

“Journalism is one of the most important pillars of our democracy. Holding those in power accountable is critical to ensuring transparency and trust for the people,” Roeder said. “This award signifies that student journalists are an important part of this process. I am grateful to have received this award and that the SPLC rewards student journalists for the hard work and dedication towards journalism.”

About the Award

The Student Freedom of Information Award recognizes a student journalist or team of journalists for outstanding and tenacious use of public records in reporting that promotes transparency and brings important issues to light in their school or community. SPLC presents the honor in partnership with the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, which provides a $1,000 prize to the high school winner.

This year’s winner was selected from a competitive group of nominations by an advisory committee of experts on public records, including Barbara A. Petersen, executive director of the Florida Center for Government Accountability; Gunita Singh, staff attorney at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; and Samantha Sunne, interim editor at MuckRock. SPLC and the Brechner FOI Project staff did not participate in the selection process.

The Student Press Law Center (splc.org) is a nonpartisan nonprofit that promotes, supports and defends the First Amendment and free press rights of student journalists. Operating since 1974, SPLC provides information, training and legal assistance at no charge to high school and college student journalists and the educators who work with them. SPLC also supports the grassroots, student-led New Voices movement, which seeks to protect student press freedom through state laws. Learn more about our impact.

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