Lessons in the 45 words of the First Amendment

I don’t know why I raised my hand when Jack Marsh, Freedom Forum vice president for diversity programs, asked a Spring Scholar to recite the First Amendment in front of a room full of strangers. It’s not that I’m terribly shy, but I have to admit I was nervous. I guess I was trying to make myself feel more comfortable and a part of an atmosphere that was inviting from the moment I sat down at a dinner table between Marsh and Career Coach Colleen Fitzpatrick. I was not prepared to answer additional questions from Marsh, but that’s what being a journalist is about. Sometimes we are not ready for the situations we face. It’s important to know how to deal with situations as best as we can. These experiences can turn out to be lessons for tomorrow. I might not have known everything I should have about the First Amendment, but I am positive that I never will forget it or forget Marsh for putting me on the spot. It wasn’t necessary for Marsh to apologize for what he called “picking on me,” but he did. As far as I’m concerned, he did me a favor when he called on me. Knowledge is power.

-- Ashley Anthony, Spring Scholar, The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun and University of Houston