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Youth

Mississippi Students Selected for 53rd Annual United States Senate Youth Program

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Two high school students, Sidney Albritton and Robert Grady Pickering, have been chosen to represent Mississippi at the 53rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The program, which takes place in Washington from March 7-14, 2015, will give the students the opportunity to meet with Senators, congressional staff, the President, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and officials from cabinet agencies, the diplomatic corps, and the media. As delegates, Albritton and Pickering will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sidney Albritton, a student at Picayune Memorial High School, and Robert Grady Pickering, a junior at Laurel Christian School, have been selected to represent Mississippi at the 53rd annual USSYP.
  • The two students will join 104 other high school students from across the nation in Washington from March 7-14, 2015, for the USSYP Washington Week.
  • Albritton is state vice president of Mississippi DECA, president of the Interact Club sponsored by Rotary, and vice president of both the student council and National Honor Society at Picayune Memorial High School.
  • Pickering is an Eagle Scout and participates in varsity baseball, basketball, and track teams at Laurel Christian School, in addition to being student council vice president and captain of the Speech and Debate and Quiz Bowl teams.
  • The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception, with no government funds used.
  • The program provides a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship to each delegate, funded by the Hearst Foundation.

Statistics:

  • 104 high school students from across the nation will take part in the 2015 USSYP Washington Week.
  • Two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity participate in the annual program.
  • The USSYP Washington Week will take place from March 7-14, 2015.
  • The program has been running for 53 years, since its creation by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962.
  • The Hearst Foundation has funded the program since its inception, providing a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship to each delegate.

Sources:

  • Statement by Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker
  • Statement by Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran

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