A free spirit can be defined as one who attempts to set his own course in life and does not fit into a set group. A 2003 Mercer High School alumnus discovered he fit the criteria when chosen to attend the Free Spirit Conference in Washington, D.C.

"Mom thought I fit the criteria, and looked it up on the Internet for me," said Josh Faltot, son of George and Joan Faltot of Mercer.

"A free spirit is someone who is not really part of a clique or anything. I feel I fit that," he said.

The conference gave those in attendance a chance to gather with other students and to meet with those in the field of journalism.