Jessica Ahlquist gives her acceptance speech at the Playboy Mansion in May. Photo courtesy the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation.
By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
Rhode Island’s own Jessica Ahlquist received a standing ovation from the crowd gathered at the Playboy Mansion last month. The teen was there to accept a First Amendment Award from the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, something she received for her “courageous and successful lawsuit over a prayer banner in her high school,” according to a news release.
“I learned very quickly in the past three years that defending the first amendment and sharing your opinion can often be something people dislike you for,” Ahlquist said in her acceptance speech, referring to her lawsuit against Cranston High School West and a prayer banner in the school’s auditorium.
“People constantly wonder how someone so young can be interested in the first amendment,” she said. At the time of the suit, Ahlquist was just 15. “I don’t think the first amendment is hard to understand…and really it’s just a reflection of equality and freedom.”
Eugenie Scott, Ph.D., a physical anthropologist and former university professor, presented the award to Ahlquist. Ahlquist, who turns 18 this month, was joined in the Playboy Mansion garden by her fellow winners, judges and special presenters on May 22. She received $5,000 cash and a commemorative plaque.
Hefner’s daughter, Christie, established the Awards in 1979 to honor individuals that have been active in First Amendment rights efforts in the fields of journalism, government, book publishing and education. Ahlquist took home this year’s award in the education category.
You can see photos from Ahlquist’s trip on her Facebook page here.
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Kim Kalunian
