Denver’s Hannah Picasso-Hobin, a senior at the Denver’s Colorado School of the Arts, is one of nine high school seniors from across the country to receive a $4,000 college scholarship in recognition of their outstanding work to protect civil liberties, especially for young people.

The award was first given in 2000 to honor the efforts of graduating seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights through some form of student activism.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and young people are keenly aware of threats to our rights and freedoms,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “The ACLU Youth Activist Scholarship gives a small reward for the great courage and determination shown by these young men and women.”

Beginning in her freshman year, when she formed a chapter of the ACLU at the Denver School of Arts in Denver, Colorado, Hannah-Picasso-Hobin has served as a role model for student leaders. Hannah got the ACLU Youth Education Program off the ground by involving students from schools across the state. She helped plan the first Annual Colorado Youth for Civil Liberties Expo, winning the Colorado ACLU “Trailblazer Award” for promoting awareness of the Bill of Rights -- all this while becoming Denver School of the Arts Musician of the Year, President of the Denver Public Schools Student School Board, Mile High Scholar, and achieving membership in the National Honor Society all four years.

Click here to read Hannah's essay.