Junior Orlie Weitzman has been declared state’s freest student journalist spirit. Orlie was selected as the Illinois winner of the  Al Neuharth Free Spirit Journalism award, which grants access to an all-expenses-paid, five-day summer program in Washington, D.C., and a $1,000 college scholarship. One junior is selected from each of the 50 states in honor of Al Neuharth, a columnist and philanthropist.

The Free Spirit Award recognizes rising seniors who are interested in journalism, multimedia storytelling and free expression while being a “free spirit … someone who is a risk-taker, a visionary, an innovative leader, an entrepreneur or a courageous achiever who accomplishes great things beyond his or her normal circumstances,” according to the organization’s website.

Orlie, who served as the opinion editor for the Midway this year, sees the opinion section as a direct link between herself and the program’s value of free speech in journalism.

“The opinion section is kind of the section that epitomizes the heart of student free speech,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of experience in it, and that’s what made me decide to apply.”

Orlie is looking forward to meeting other student journalists from across the country, and the unique perspectives they will have to offer.

“There’s so many different experiences that people all over the U.S. have, so the fact that there’s someone who can speak to what it’s like to be a teen in every area will be really inspiring,” she said. “I can contribute what it’s like to be a student reporter in a big urban city, but there’s people who are coming from schools where they might not even have a journalism program, and this is their chance to showcase their love for journalism. I’m really excited to learn from them.”