Junior Acacia Johnston puts her earbuds in and starts her shift at Northeast Trophy. She turns up the music and then her phone buzzes. Expecting the usual, “We’re the college for you!” generic message, or the “We have your scholarship waiting!” clickbait message.

This is not the case today.

Johnston received news of a much anticipated result: that she was accepted into the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference. This means: an all expenses paid trip to Washington DC this summer, a 1,000 dollar scholarship to any college of her choosing, and the opportunity for intense journalism training.

Each state sends only one student to represent them at this conference. “I’m proud to say that I won for the whole state of Maine,” Johnston said.  Johnston found out about this, “Once in a lifetime opportunity,” from her journalism teacher Marcie Young.

“I like opportunities where I can make money and do something I like,” commented Johnston. Journalism has always been a passion of hers. Becoming a writer for the National Geographic would be Johnston’s dream job, but for now her work can be found on The Presque Isle High School Anchor.