U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker commended Morgan Elise Atkins of Olive Branch and Noah Harris of Hattiesburg on their selection to represent the Magnolia State at the 56th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).
Atkins and Harris are scheduled to meet Cochran and Wicker as part of the 2018 USSYP Washington Week during March 3-10. They will participate in meetings and briefings with Senators, congressional staff, the President, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, federal agencies, the diplomatic corps, and the media.
In addition, they will each receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the non-profit Hearst Foundations, which funds the program.
“The U.S. Senate Youth Program will be an excellent opportunity for Morgan Atkins, Noah Harris, and their peers from around the country to learn more about public service and our government,” Cochran said. “I am pleased that our state will be well represented by students with outstanding community service and academic records.”
The USSYP Washington Week will include a total of 104 student delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. The educational program is focused on increasing knowledge of American government and commitment to public service.
“I commend Morgan and Noah for this great achievement, and I look forward to welcoming them to Washington this spring,” Wicker said. “The U.S. Senate Youth Program provides an unparalleled opportunity for our state’s delegates to meet other young leaders and learn more about our nation’s government.”
Atkins, a senior at Center Hill High School, is class president and has been involved in student government throughout high school. She is a member of the Superintendent’s Youth Leadership Council, president of the Youth Government Club, and was named the Most Outstanding Senator at the Mississippi Youth Legislature. Atkins is a member of the Select Women’s Chorus and the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America.
Harris, a senior at Oak Grove High School, is student body president. A member of the National Honor Society, Harris is also president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, secretary of the Beta Club, and captain of the basketball team. He started the 911 Project to aid elderly and low-income residents during emergencies. Harris, who won best attorney at the Stanford Law School’s Intensive Law and Trial Camp, has been accepted to Harvard College Undergraduate Class of 2022.
Mississippi’s alternate delegates to the 2018 program are Warren Kennedy Guest of Brandon and Nicholas Braeden Yarborough of Lake.
Cochran and Wicker have previously served on the Senate Advisory Committee for the USSYP program. Cochran will serve as an advisory committee member for the 2018 program.
