December 18, 2017
JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) in conjunction with the 56th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that Noah Harris and Morgan Atkins will serve as Mississippi delegates for the USSYP for the 2017-2018 school year. The high school seniors will participate in Washington Week to be held March 3 – 10, 2018 in Washington, D.C.
Harris is a senior at Oak Grove High School (Lamar County School District) and serves as the student body president. He is also president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, secretary for the Beta Club, and captain for the Oak Grove High School varsity basketball team. His future plans include earning a degree in political science and attending law school.
Atkins attends Center Hill High School (DeSoto County School District) and serves as senior class president. She’s an active member of the student council, Superintendent’s Youth Leadership Council, and National Honor Society. She is currently the founder and president of the Youth Government Club. Her future plans include studying public policy and politics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
While in Washington, the student delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials of the Departments of State and Defense, and leaders of other federal agencies. They will also participate in a meeting with a justice of the United States Supreme Court and the President of the United States. Each session includes an in-depth question and answer period. The students will also tour numerous national monuments and museums throughout Washington, D.C.
In addition to participating in Washington Week, the Hearst Foundations will award Harris and Atkins a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history, public affairs, and/or related field of study. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are provided by the Hearst Foundations.
Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program brings the most outstanding high school juniors and seniors — two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week long educational study of the federal government and the people who lead it. Alumni of the program serve as elected and appointed officials at all levels of government including two current United States Senators, a current governor, former senior political advisors to the President of the United States, former ambassadors and federal judges, and a host of other professionals.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519