Special to the Transcript
Turco.
Representative Turco was pleased to present a citation to Shannon Raneri for her outstanding journalism. Shannon won the Freedom Forum Scholarship where she then went on to Washington, DC to represent the State of Massachusetts at the Al Neuharth Journalism Conference.
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference occurs every summer in Washington D.C. for rising high school seniors who are interested in a journalism career. Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today and The Freedom Forum, founded this conference in 1999 to inspire and empower America’s future generations of journalists. One student from each state receives an all-expenses-paid trip to our nation’s capital and a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice. These aspiring journalists that attend the conference are called “Free Spirits,” people who, as the conference’s motto states, “Dream. Dare. Do.” While in D.C., Free Spirits learn about the power of journalism, the importance of the First Amendment, how they can be fused together to leave an impact powerful enough to change society’s thinking, and what it truly means to be a Free Spirit.
“I’ve always been writing. I like to say that my love for writing started in a blanket fort with my second-grade math book. From there, I wrote throughout elementary and middle school and in high school, I joined my school newspaper where I am now editor-in-chief. During my time at the conference, I met someone from every state, found people with similar interests as mine, and made life-long friends. Touring D.C.’s monuments enriched my understanding of history and our daily panels broadened my view of journalism. The conference allowed me to explore different types of journalism as I learned from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, White House Correspondents, and authors. There, I discovered my love of political journalism. I could not have asked for a better experience with a better group of people.” Said award recipient Shannon Raneri.
“Shannon’s selection and recognition at the Al Neuharth Journalism Conference is a recognition of her hard work and achievement. She is a credit to her family, our community and the Winthrop Public Schools,” said Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D- Winthrop).