On Saturday, October 20, 2012, Free Spirits from the class of 2000 to the class of 2012 came together for the first ever Free Spirit alumni reunion. Using the hashtag #freespiritreunion, they shared their anticipation and excitement.
Some Free Spirits had never seen the new Newseum. The class of 2006, for example, was only able to visit the construction site. Others were, for the first time in years, setting foot there again.
@Newseum for the #FreeSpiritReunion. So strange to be back in the museum! http://t.co/bad61c3J—
Sammi Weiss (@followingrule16) October 21, 2012
In the days leading up to the reunion, Free Spirits reminisced about their conference days.
Getting excited for #freespiritreunion this wknd. Hope alums will share flashback photos & new pics. This is from 06! http://t.co/KB3Uf2YM—
Catherine Cheney (@catherinecheney) October 18, 2012
Getting so excited for the #freespiritreunion. A highlight of 2008: watching Meet the Press and meeting Tim Russert. http://t.co/J4wfraYZ—
Laura J. Nelson (@laura_nelson) October 18, 2012
Free Spirits checked in throughout the morning of the reunion, with reunions and introductions filling the entrance with handshakes and laughter.
#freespiritreunion http://t.co/kJfEyLU4—
Catherine Cheney (@catherinecheney) October 20, 2012
Jack Marsh kicked things off by welcoming alumni who traveled from across the country, some from as far as California, to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. He introduced the Free Spirit team, thanked them for their commitment to bring alumni back together, discussed changes to the Free Spirit program, and emphasized the importance of the First Amendment.
Jack Marsh kicking off the Free Spirit reunion at the Newseum! #FreeSpiritReunion yfrog.com/odwmjfugj—
Ryan Fecteau (@RyanFecteau) October 20, 2012
The reunion would not have been the same without Al Neuharth. Free Spirits were excited to see Mr. Dream, Dare, Do himself there for the occasion.
Sitting next to Mr. Neuharth himself at the #freespiritreunion! twitpic.com/b5vzy8—
Benzo Harris (@benzoharris) October 20, 2012
Seeing my lifelong hero and inspiration today! Much love for Al Neuharth! #freespiritreunion—
Nikki Roberti (@Nikki_Roberti) October 20, 2012
The day was filled with lots of laughs, with Benzo Harris, Class of 2006, Tweeting a picture of himself from the mic before asking a question to Jan Neuharth, Al Neuharth, and Jack Marsh.
What a crowd! #freespiritreunion twitpic.com/b5w88j—
Benzo Harris (@benzoharris) October 20, 2012
Although alums were invited to ask questions of the panel, the theme of the day turned out to be expressions of gratitude. For some of these Free Spirits, the conference was five or ten years ago, and to this day they cannot say enough about the impact the program had on them.
Free Spirits from across classes and around the country line up to ask questions at the @newseum #freespiritreunion http://t.co/4wCKmIfq—
Catherine Cheney (@catherinecheney) October 20, 2012
Here are two highlights from behind the mic:
"This conference really changed my life," says @CyrusVJ. "It changed the way I look at everything." #freespiritreunion—
Greg Linch (@greglinch) October 20, 2012
@JamieHausman: "This is the best journalism school." #freespiritreunion—
Adrianna Amato (@AdriannaAmato) October 20, 2012
And here are a few reactions from the crowd during the Q and A portion of the program:
5 years ago I was at the free spirit conference and it changed my life. Now at #freespiritreunion and I feel just as excited as I was then.—
Nikki Roberti (@Nikki_Roberti) October 20, 2012
These people and this field have my heart. So happy to reconnect! #FreeSpiritReunion—
Kimberly Alfred (@KimberlyAlfred) October 20, 2012
True story: friendships can be forged even at a scholarship conference. Still strong even 7 years later #freespiritreunion—
Parker Wishik (@LSUguy) October 20, 2012
#DreamDareDo Congrats to all of the free spirits who are living this motto! #FreeSpiritReunion—
Sammi Weiss (@followingrule16) October 20, 2012
Inspiration was a common theme in the conversation, in person and in the Twittersphere.
Free Spirits still inspire me more than anything. #freespiritreunion—
Jamie Hausman (@JamieHausman) October 20, 2012
Obsessed with being at the @newseum right now and listening to all of these stories #inspired #FreeSpiritReunion—
Olivia Najor (@olivianajor) October 20, 2012
I'm so inspired! Amazing people doing great things. #freespiritreunion—
Katie Vann (@kvann) October 20, 2012
Classes were excited to reconnect.
The Class of 2005:
Great to see the 2005 folks! #freespiritreunion @ Newseum instagr.am/p/RA4PkAMDIb/—
Greg Linch (@greglinch) October 20, 2012
The Class of 2006:
Missing Free Spirits this week! Great seeing old friends and making new ones. #classof06 #freespiritreunion http://t.co/1qCgvwkE—
Catherine Cheney (@catherinecheney) October 23, 2012
The Class of 2008:
Good times with good friends. #freespiritreunion #dctrip instagr.am/p/RAsrB7DiFo/—
Adrianna Amato (@AdriannaAmato) October 20, 2012
The Class of 2000 only had one representative there, but even Katie Aberbach Tweeted how glad she was to attend and mentioned how welcomed and inspired she felt.
Had good time at #freespiritreunion today representing class of (eek!) 2000. Where does the time go?—
Katie (@ahoykatie) October 20, 2012
After an afternoon of reconnecting over lunch, Free Spirits gathered on the terrace, before continuing to explore the Newseum.
Alumni attending #freespiritreunion gather on Newseum rooftop. freespirit.org http://t.co/xiNYEbf4—
Jack Marsh (@johnsmarsh) October 20, 2012
And here is the final pose, before the video recorded Dream! Dare! Do! No matter where our paths have gone, we all share those Free Spirited qualities, and remembered just how much we have in common when we came together for the first time at the first ever reunion.
