A Washington Community High School Senior who recently spoke out publicly telling her personal story to encourage public school officials to breathe life into policies that protect gay and lesbian youth from harassment and abuse is one of eleven students across the nation being honored for her exemplary activism by the American Civil Liberties Union. Lexy Whitman of Metamora will receive a $4,000 college scholarship to assist her in pursuing a college education. The scholarship honors students across the nation for their outstanding work to protect civil liberties.

Lexy Whitman became active in the past year with the Heartland Safe School Initiative, a collaborative of area organizations and individuals to raise awareness of the challenges faced by LGBT students in Peoria-area schools. On January 30, Lexy appeared at a forum at Peoria Richwoods High School to provide personal testimony about the harassment and abuse she received as a result of her sexual orientation. Lexy described being called disparaging names, hounded by other students, and even suffering physical abuse. Describing her willingness to speak up and be identified as part of the program, Lexy reminded the Peoria audience that people "need to take a stand for what is right and just, not sit around pretending that nothing is happening around them."

"Lexy is a deserving honoree for this award," said Sarah Schriber, an attorney with the Youth at Risk Project at the ACLU of Illinois. "Her courage, optimism and humanity will surely lead her to great things. Already, she has stood in the public eye and addressed an injustice; more important, she has been par t of the search for real solutions that will benefit others facing harassment and abuse."

The ACLU Youth Activist award, first given in 2000, honors the efforts of graduating seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights through some form of student activism. You can find more information about the award and the other winners at http://www.aclu.org/students/29364prs20070419.html.

"Lexy's activism continues - she already is forming a Gay Straight Alliance in her school, the only such group in hundreds of miles," added the ACLU's Schriber. "We know she will build on this impressive record."