WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker (R-Miss) today announced that Andrew Peterson of Hattiesburg and Romeris Pettiford of Clarksdale have been selected to represent Mississippi at the 48th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) this spring.

Peterson and Pettiford were selected from Mississippi students who applied to be among the 104 students who will take part in the 2011 USSYP, a week-long program that will include meetings and briefings with Senators, congressional staff, the President, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and officials from cabinet agencies, the diplomatic corps and the media.

The USSYP this year is scheduled for March 5-12 in Washington.  Each representative will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundation, which funds the entire program.

“I congratulate Andrew Peterson and Romeris Pettiford on their selection.  These two young men will have the opportunity to represent Mississippi while they learn a great deal about our federal government, public service and politics,” said Cochran, who served as co-chairman of the USSYP Senate Advisory Committee last year.

“This is an exciting honor for Andrew and Romeris, who are both very worthy having demonstrated leadership abilities,” said Wicker, who is a member of this year’s Senate Advisory Committee.  “Public service is a critical component of our democracy, and we must continue to educate young men and women who will be future leaders in their communities.”

Petersen attends Presbyterian Christian School, where he is student body vice president and a member of the gymnastics and cross country teams.  He is an Eagle Scout, Taekwondo instructor and competitor and a member of the National Beta Club and Young Republicans Club.

Pettiford attends Coahoma Agricultural High School, where he is a student council representative, captain of the baseball and football teams and district chess champion.  A scholar with the National Deans’ List and National Society of High Schools, Pettiford is also on the school’s basketball and track teams.  In addition, he does volunteer work with the Boys and Girls Club, Community Food Bank and Masonic Lodge.

Chosen as alternates to the 2011 program were Alex Amis of Clinton, who attends Clinton High School, and William Hunter of Vicksburg, who attends St. Aloysius High School.

Peterson, Pettigrew and the Mississippi alternates were designated by Dr. Tom Burnham, State Superintendent of Education.

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception.  No government funds are used.  Two students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity take part in the annual program.

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