Ex-Student Claims School Newspaper Used His Photo In Story About STDs
A 2011 graduate of a Miami-area high school is suing district officials over a photograph of him that was allegedly used to illustrate a story about sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers in the school newspaper.
Kenneth “Kenny” Clements, 18, says the story damaged his reputation and earned the nickname “STD Boy” among classmates, Miami New Times reports.
According to the suit, Clements was a senior at Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High School last February when the school newspaper, the Reagan Advocate, ran a story called “Teens Stay Quiet About STD’s”. The story featured what his lawyer says was a “slightly blurred” photograph of Clements with an “X” over his mouth.
“You could very clearly tell it was Kenneth,” Clements’ lawyer, Harry Shevin says.
Clements, who says he doesn’t have an STD, alleges that the “X” over his mouth in the photograph implies that he does but is trying to keep it quiet.
Shevin says he doesn’t know why Clements’ photo was used to illustrate the story, but he doesn’t rule out retaliation or bullying.
A spokesman for Miami-Dade Public Schools declined to comment, citing the “possibility” of litigation.
