WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss, today announced that Sidney Albritton of Carriere and Robert Grady Pickering of Laurel have been selected to represent Mississippi at the 53rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Albritton and Pickering will be among 104 high schools students from across the nation who will take part in the 2015 USSYP Washington Week, March 7-14 in Washington.  As delegates, the Mississippi students will be awarded a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundation, which funds the entire program.

The USSYP Washington Week is an educational program that includes 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.

“Sidney and Robert are young leaders with bright futures ahead of them. Being chosen to represent our state in this program is a high honor.  I am excited for them to have this opportunity to learn in our nation’s capital,” Wicker said.

“I congratulate Sidney and Robert on their selection to this scholarship program.  It will provide them with an opportunity to learn more about our federal government and to interact with other young leaders from around the country,” Cochran said.  “I am confident they will represent Mississippi well.”

Albritton, a student at Picayune Memorial High School, 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.  He is also active in a number of community and church volunteer efforts.

Pickering is an Eagle Scout and junior at Laurel Christian School where he is student council vice president and captain of the Speech and Debate and Quiz Bowl teams.  He also participates on varsity baseball, basketball and track teams.  Pickering has also been selected for Futures Leaders of Jones County.

Mississippi’s alternate delegates to the 2015 program are Joseph Hasbrouck of Pascagoula High School and Addison Barton of Brandon who attends Northwest Rankin High School.

The Mississippi delegates and alternates were designated by Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi 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.