Photo: Secretary Watson addresses SOS Ambassadors and parents

JACKSON, Miss. – Secretary of State Michael Watson hosted the 2024-2025 Secretary of State (SOS) Student Ambassadors for their Fall Summit on Monday. The event, hosted at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson, marked the first of the in-person summits the Student Ambassadors will attend throughout the school year.

"The SOS Student Ambassador program is one of the most important things we do at the Secretary of State's Office. We are honored to have the opportunity to host some of the best and brightest in Jackson while teaching them the importance of civic engagement, voting, and leadership," said Secretary Michael Watson.

The Student Ambassadors had the opportunity to participate in a reverse Q&A with Secretary Watson discussing some of the biggest challenges facing Mississippi's youth and ways state officials may address some of their concerns.

Another highlight from the day included a panel, moderated by Secretary Watson, featuring representatives from three divisions of the Secretary of State's Office. The Student Ambassadors also toured the Mississippi State Capitol and participated in a Lunch & Learn Q&A with C Spire Chief Information Officer, Rabun Jones.

Thanks to the C Spire Foundation, Jackson Chef Nick Wallace and his team at Nissan Cafe provided lunch and Northshore Specialty Coffee supplied coffee for the Ambassadors and parents.

The next SOS Student Ambassador summit will be held on September 4, 2024, on the campus of Mississippi State University.

The SOS Student Ambassador program equips high school seniors with the knowledge and resources to engage as leaders within their schools and communities. This year's group of Ambassadors consists of 70 students from 42 schools in 31 counties across all four congressional districts.

For questions regarding the SOS Student Ambassador Program, or if you're interested in partnering with our office on the program, please contact our Communications & Publications Division at Publications@sos.ms.gov.

Click here to view the 2024-2025 SOS Ambassadors

Click here to learn more about the SOS Ambassador Program

SOS panelists L to R: Jessica Thornton (Fund-Raising Registration Analyst, Charities Division), Eric Slee (Assistant Secretary of State, Securities), and Baylea Blough (Assistant Secretary of State, Business Services & Regulation)

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ABOUT SECRETARY MICHAEL WATSON

Contact:

Elizabeth Holbert Jonson

press@sos.ms.gov | 601-927-868