During my junior year I received an email notifying me that I was selected to represent Minnesota at the 2017 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism conference come June. I felt excited and anxious to attend, but had no real idea of how greatly the five day conference would impact my life.

Throughout the conference, each of the 51 student journalists from across the country was given the opportunity to hear from the most influential names in journalism. This includes Pulitzer Prize winning journalists David Farenthold and Sara Ganim, as well as the host of Meet The Press, Chuck Todd.

“We are all going to die one day. But if you give your life, no one can take it.”

This particular quote was said by Reverend Bernard LaFayette, a Nashville Freedom Rider who bravely fought for the civil rights movement in the 1960s and continues to advocate for equal rights.

The panel of Freedom Riders that spoke with us offered perhaps the most lasting impact and the biggest take aways. To me, LaFayette’s quote applies to several aspects of life. Throughout the conference, several concerned Free Spirits asked speakers and panelists to address the question “Is the field of journalism dying?” Without hesitation, almost every speaker responded with full confidence that the field was not dying, it was changing. As a student journalist who hopes to continue her career in the field, dedicating my life to the field of journalism remains my sole plan for the future.

LaFayette’s words echo everything I hope to do in my career. The 51 Free Spirits that attended the conference were the most intellectual, passionate, dedicated students I have ever met. With those 51 students planning on dedicating their lives to telling the stories of others, it seems to me there is immense hope in the field of journalism.

If we continue to dedicate our lives to telling stories, uncovering the truth and maintaining journalistic excellence, no one can diminish the importance of journalism.