OXFORD, Miss. – Six new freshmen at the University of Mississippi
enrolled this fall as scholars selected for membership in the Lott
Leadership Institute.
Lott Scholars are awarded scholarships that provide $10,000 per year
for four years of study. Selection is based on exceptional leadership,
academic records and a commitment to pursue a bachelor’s degree in
Public Policy Leadership.
“This is our fifth year offering
the scholarships, and it’s very difficult to make the decisions since
we have a strong application file,” said William Gottshall, executive
director of the Lott Institute. “We are proud of these young adults and
look forward to watching them grow academically on campus.”
The institute provides an intellectual community of faculty and
students designed to turn ideas into action. Programming includes many
opportunities for the scholars to meet and interact with public leaders
and participate in public programs in this country and abroad.
The new Lott Scholars are Morgan Renee Carter of Pascagoula,
Molly Hunter Harris of East Greenwich, R.I., Charles Shelby “CJ”
Jenkins of Oxford, Charles “Justin” Sanders of Madison, and Hunter Owen
Nicholson and Sarah Key Robinson, both of Brandon.
Carter’s career goal is to work in the nonprofit sector,
possibly as head of a large humanitarian agency. She graduated from
Resurrection Catholic High School, where her honors included Rotary
Club Student of the Month, Who’s Who Among American High School
Students, Most Effective Witness in Mock Trial and Outstanding Defense
Attorney in Model United Nations. She was chosen senior class president
and served as captain of the school’s soccer, tennis and volleyball
teams. Her community service included mission trips to Mexico and
volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen,
McKenzie Place Women’s Shelter and the Salvation Army.
Harris plans to attend law school in preparation to be a
criminal prosecuting attorney. At Greenwich High School, she received
the Foreign Ambassadors Award in Latin, Outstanding Witness Award,
Excellent Lawyer Award and Presidential Award of Excellence. She served
as captain of the Mock Trial Team and as an officer for Class Council
and the National Honor Society. She participated in the Academic
Decathlon, Gay Straight Alliance and Latin Club. Her community service
included Volunteers in Mission, Christ Community Kitchen and McCauley
House Soup Kitchen.
Jenkins plans a double major in public policy leadership and
civil engineering. After an early career as a civil engineer, he hopes
to enter politics. A graduate of Oxford High School, he was a National
Merit Finalist and placed in the 91st and 93rd percentile in the
National German Exam. He was a member of the OHS Band, Mississippi
Lions All-State Band and Northeast Honor Band. He was rated superior in
solo and sight reading by the Mississippi Music Teachers Association.
He was a member of the OHS baseball team and belonged to the National
Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honorary. His community
service included working with St. Peter’s Episcopal Youth Community and
volunteering for retirement home visitation and algebra tutoring.
Nicholson, a graduate of Brandon High School, plans to attend
law school and practice law, and eventually run for public office. He
was elected Mr. BHS and inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He was
named Rankin County Student of the Month and chosen Best Actor by the
Thespians. An Eagle Scout, he was a delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth
Program and served two years as president of his class. A member of the
National Honor Society and Beta Club, he was featured in Portico
Magazine among 25 Students Who Will Change the World. In community
service, he was a worship leader and retreat leader at Crossgates
United Methodist Church and a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council, as
well as a volunteer with the Red Cross Shelter Phone Bank and Katrina
Relief.
Robinson graduated from East Rankin Academy. She plans to attend
law school. At ERA, she was an Honor Student, member of the ACT
Academic Team and a state winner in Academic Betterment Competition.
She served as president of both the Student Council and Mu Alpha Theta
and participated in varsity basketball, varsity cheerleading and
theater. She attended UM’s Trent Lott Leadership Institute for High
School Students. Her community service included working with the Shiloh
United Methodist youth group and mission team and volunteering with
Habitat for Humanity, Veterans Day Mission Project, Make-A-Wish
Foundation, Hurricane Relief and Angel Tree.
Sanders, a National Merit Semifinalist, graduated from Madison
Central High School. While he has long been interested in a political
career, he says he’s “very fond of international politics and intrigued
by the infinite possibilities in the world of international relations.”
He was co-captain of his school’s Academic Decathlon Team, which placed
first in state competition and first runner-up in the national
division. In individual ADT awards, he received five gold, two silver
and one bronze. He was a member of the state champion Mississippi
Economic Challenge Team – David Ricardo Division. He was selected for
advanced competition in sociology and behavioral sciences at the
Mississippi Regional Science Fair. He served on his school’s newspaper
staff and was a member of the Government Club and Speech and Debate
Club. He participated in YMCA Youth Legislature, Mississippi Model
Security Council and Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference. His
community service included working with Madison United Methodist Youth
and volunteering for the Stewpot Community Center, Katrina Relief and
Habitat for Humanity.
For more information about the Lott Leadership Institute, visit http://www.lottinst.olemiss.