WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker (R-Miss) today announced that Elizabeth Wicks of Ocean Springs and Michael Wilkerson of Wilkinson County have been selected to represent Mississippi at the 50th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week this spring.

Wicks and Wilkerson were selected from Mississippi students who applied to be among the 104 students who will take part in the 2012 USSYP Washington Week, a 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 program is scheduled for March 3-10 in Washington.  Each representative will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundation, which funds the entire program.

“I congratulate Elizabeth Wicks and Michael Wilkerson for being chosen to represent Mississippi.  The U.S. Senate Youth Program will give them a chance to learn more about our federal government, public service and politics,” Cochran said.

“This is an exciting honor for Elizabeth and Michael,” said Wicker.  “They have both distinguished themselves through their leadership abilities.  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.”

Wicks is a student at Ocean Springs High School where she is president of the Junior Civitan Club, treasurer of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth Leadership Program.  She is also part of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute, the Mayor’s Youth Council, and the Ballet Theatre South.  Wicks is a volunteer with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Camp for the Blind, “Relay for Life” American Breast Cancer Society and “Heart Walk” American Heart Association.  She has also been a coordinator for the Civitan Community Services Projects.

Wilkerson attends Wilkinson County Christian Academy in Woodville where he is president of the student council and vice president of the senior class.  He was chosen to participate in Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership.  Wilkerson has been a Mississippi Boys State representative, alternate delegate to Boys Nation, Camp Bratton Green counselor, Academic Quiz Bowl captain, secretary of the National Honor Society and homecoming king.  Wilkerson was a varsity member of the football, basketball, tennis, and track teams, and a church pianist/organist.

Allison Slusher of Hattiesburg, a student at Oak Grove High School, and Olive Branch student Logan Luke of Lewisburg High School, were chosen as alternate delegates to the 2012 program.

Wicks and Wilkerson, as well as the Mississippi alternates, were designated by Dr. Tom Burnham, State Superintendent of Education, from among students nominated by teachers and principals.

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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