Basch  Jernigan of Gulf Shores has been named an Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholar and will attend an all-expense-paid journalism training conference at the Freedom Forum’s Newseum, located on Pennsylvania Avenue between the US Capitol and the White House.

Al Neuharth is the founder of  USA Today, The Newseum, and the Freedom Forum, which is committed to nurturing freedom across the USA. The Free Spirit program selects and mentors 51 high school students, representing each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Basch was chosen for the State of Alabama. After successfully completing this week-long summer workshop he will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be paid to his college of choice in the fall of 2012. The conference and scholarships are designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue journalism, to network with one another and to develop lifelong associations. The conference, hosted by Al Neuharth, includes full access to the Newseum, interaction with media leaders and journalists and hands-on training.

Eligibility is limited to high school juniors who plan to pursue a career in journalism and who demonstrate qualities of “free spirit.” Applicants are selected based upon written essays, recommendations, transcripts, and samples of their journalistic works. Free pirit is a part of The Freedom Forum — a nonpartisan foundation that champions the First Amendment as a cornerstone of democracy.

Basch is a regular contributor to The Islander Newspapers, Beachin’ Magazine and PBS News Hour Extra on PBS.org. He is 16 years old and attends Gulf Shores High School.