DGN Principal Janice Schwarze with Junior Matthew Troher, Illinois delegate for the 2018 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C.
DGN Junior Matthew Troher was selected as the Illinois delegate to attend the 2018 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C., June 16-21. Troher also received a scholarship which will be paid to a college of his choice.
This is the second year in a row that a North High Journalism student has earned this honor, as Natalie White was the Illinois delegate last year.
“We’re incredibly proud of Matthew and this exceptional accomplishment,” said English teacher and Journalism sponsor Elizabeth Levin. “We look forward to hearing about his experience when he returns to class in the fall.”
“Congratulations to Matthew for earning this unique experience,” said Janice Schwarze, principal of North High. “We’re proud to have him represent our high school and our state in our nation’s capitol.”
This program was created to honor Al Neuharth, founder of USA TODAY, the Freedom Forum and the Newseum, for his long and distinguished career in journalism and his free spirit. The conference will take place at the Newseum (www.newseum.org), which is dedicated to free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment.
During the conference students will attend sessions with media professionals, news executives and prominent free spirits. Students will also have the opportunity to visit some of the most important sites in Washington, D.C. Each student is expected to cover the conference as a journalist and write an article or produce a segment for their school newspaper or other media upon return to school in September 2018.
To learn more about the 2018 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, visit the conference page on the Newseum website.