The past summer, I had the privilege of representing the state of Wisconsin at the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C.

While a large focus of the conference was to prepare 51 high school juniors for entering a career in journalism, the main purpose was to promote the vital role of the First Amendment as a keeper of democracy, and to inspire student journalists to find their free spirit and never be afraid to dream, dare and do.

According to Al Neuharth, founder of USAToday, the Newseum and the Freedom Forum, “A free spirit can be a risk-taker, a visionary, an innovative leader, an entrepreneur or a courageous achiever who accomplishes great things beyond his or her normal circumstances.”

Attending the conference allowed me to find my own free spirit, which in turn, truly shaped me into a more inquisitive and aware human being. Almost four months after returning to Wisconsin with a new mindset and 51 new friends, I can truly attest to the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference changing my life.

I arrived in Washington, D.C. on the morning of June 17 feeling terribly anxious. I was about to spend five days with 50 other student journalists — one from every state and D.C.– and continue on my journalistic journey. Luckily, my fellow Free Spirit Scholars and I began conversing on social media prior to the conference, but I wasn’t sure what to expect or whether I would make friends. However, as soon as I walked into the lobby of the Holiday Inn in Washington D.C. and had my first conversation with my fellow scholars, I felt as if I had found my 50 soulmates. Despite the monumental differences and geographic boundaries that separated all 50 of us, we found common bonds that truly united us as journalists and as a Free Spirit family.

We spent five days together attending lectures hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalists, partaking in discussions and panels ranging from Al Neuharth’s family to Freedom Riders, witnessing Marty Baron’s reception of the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in Media and simply bonding together as a family. Each lecture and discussion greatly fueled my curiosity and inspired me to continue seeking justice with my writing.

At the end of the conference, my fellow Free Spirits and I vowed to dedicate ourselves to continue Neuharth’s legacy. We vowed to dedicate ourselves to becoming successful, honest and fair journalists. Today’s society is crumbling due to lack of participation and awareness. We journalists are a rare breed of storytellers necessary to the success of our nation. There will continue to be stories and controversial topics about which society needs to be informed. Because of the tenacity of my fellow Free Spirits and their unyielding hunger for knowledge, I can truly attest that the future of journalism is in good hands. 

Gallery • 14 Photos

Courtesy of the Newseum Institute.

Sasha Milbeck, senior, gives a speech about which First Amendment freedom she values most.