Arkansas high school students are exploring and offering solutions to national issues as members of U.S. Senator John Boozman’s (R-AR) Congressional Youth Cabinet. The program is in its third year and seeks to expose students to the legislative process and opportunities for advocacy and civic engagement.
The group of 58 students from all four congressional districts met for the first time in Little Rock on Friday, October 4. In addition to meeting with Senator Boozman, the students also visited with U.S. Representative French Hill.
“I am pleased to continue this program and bring together young leaders from all corners of the state,” Boozman said. “We have an enthusiastic group of students who represent the future of Arkansas. I think it’s a unique and invaluable opportunity for them and I look forward to receiving their feedback on national issues of interest to them and their peers.”
The Congressional Youth Cabinet is a nonpartisan initiative that allows students to gain first-hand experience engaging in the democratic process. Participants attend several meetings throughout the school year, research a national issue they select and present policy recommendations to Boozman at the final meeting in April.
Students were selected from each of the four congressional districts based on their achievements, involvement in the community and demonstrated leadership experience.
The following students were selected for the 2019-20 school year:
1st Congressional District
James Davis – Jonesboro
Darby Hall – Jonesboro
Kylee Wood – Newark
Grady Inzer – Greers Ferry
Abigail Kingery – Pocahontas
Jeffrey Langston – Blytheville
Jessie Laureles – Batesville
Sebastian Moore – Bay
Kathryn McCustion – Blytheville
Serena Pagan – Jonesboro
Hannah Rainwater – Jonesboro
Eli Richmond – Jonesboro
Savannah Sandage – Batesville
Sophie Simmons – Rector
Aniyah Smith – West Memphis
Meredith Whited – Marion
2nd Congressional District
Tionna Evans – Jacksonville
Brian Hare – Bryant
Loryn Hendrix – Plumerville
Isaiah Lawson – Searcy
Serenity McCuien – Plumerville
Shylynn Phillips – Jacksonville
Jayce Pollard – Conway
Jacob Ray – Hensley
Caley Sample – Jacksonville
Austin Schroeder – Bryant
Skylar Risk – Alexander
Jaya Salgaonkar – Maumelle
Jacob Strawn – North Little Rock
3rd Congressional District
Luke Barnes – Fort Smith
Preston Hyatt – Holiday Island
Ananya Vangoor – Bentonville
Anna Dean – Bentonville
Alison Jang – Bentonville
Monica Alvarenga – Springdale
Haris Rana – Fort Smith
Kylie Bell – Van Buren
Maria Camerlingo – Rogers
Leyton Elmore – Fort Smith
John Keenan – Fayetteville
Dalton Decker – Yellville
Rebekka Riff – Harrison
Luke Rucker – Springdale
4th Congressional District
Abigayle Dampier – Pearcy
Abigail Storment – Plainview
Ella Pace – Hot Springs
Daniel Stuckey – Rison
Carly Orr – Hot Springs
Sheila Hinton – Caddo Gap
Chase Mosely – Hot Springs
Lauren Boston – Hot Springs
Reagan Eades – Jefferson
Jacob Heffington – Hot Springs
Xavier Brown – Crossett
Connor Johnson – Hot Springs
Davis Wilson – Rison
Maggie Cassidy – Magnolia
Anthony Corley – Bismark
