MSU hosts institute students helping solve statewide, global challenges
Contact: Carson McFatridge
STARKVILLE, Miss.—High school students from across the Magnolia State convened at Mississippi State today [Feb. 20] as participants of the eighth-annual World Food Prize Mississippi Youth Institute, hosted by MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The Mississippi Youth Institute provides high school students the opportunity to research and suggest solutions for some of the most pressing global issues, including food security, water quality and health, said acting CALS Dean and institute leader Darrell Sparks.
“These are our future leaders, so it is important that they learn to problem solve and effectively communicate their ideas with others,” he said. “This program provides a constructive space for them to network with their peers as well as experts from industry and academia.”
The institute included the Charles E. Lindley Lecture featuring Ryn Laster, director of food safety and animal welfare at Cal-Maine Foods Inc. headquartered in Ridgeland. She is a four-time MSU graduate and has spent her career ensuring the highest standards in egg production, quality assurance and sustainable practices that support public health and industry integrity. Her presentation emphasized the critical roles of science, policy and leadership in strengthening food systems. After the presentation, students participated in preparing meal packs for distribution to state food pantries.
Participating students were recognized as Borlaug Scholars, with select students invited to participate in the Global Youth Institute in Iowa in October. Participants are eligible for CALS scholarships and can apply to the Borlaug Ruan International Internship and the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship. The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute was created by 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug, who spent his life’s work finding solutions to feed a hungry world.
Last year, Greenville Christian School’s Jaquarius Harvey was selected to attend the GYI. He has participated in the program for three years and shared his experience with this year’s attendees.
“Even though I grew up in a rural community, I didn’t know how I could fit into agriculture,” he said. “World Food Prize has shown me how I can use my unique skills to help others. After graduation, I plan to obtain an engineering degree and apply it in agricultural development.”
He encouraged anyone interested in the program to “get outside your comfort zone.”
“I’ve been able to experience so many new things, like speaking in front of larger crowds and even flying for the first time,” he said. “You never know what opportunities might come your way.”
This year's World Food Prize Mississippi Youth Institute Borlaug Scholars are (by school):
COFFEEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL—Ayhuanna Smith
GREENVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL— Karem Alboshaba, Kayden Bradfield, Tristian Dorsey, McKenzie Grant, Jacquarius Harvey, Lora Holleman, Raven McElvaine and Erron Robinson
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Jackson)—Lena Brewer, Summer Epperson, Haleigh Grant, Madison Griggs and Cayden Thornton
ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL (Fulton)—Brent Beard
PINE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL (Ripley)—Kailey Butler, Rylie Jones and Emily Mauney
The Mississippi Youth Institute is hosted by MSU with generous support from CALS alumni Barry L. and Lana B. White and the Madison Charitable Foundation. To learn more, visit www.worldfoodprize.org/en/youth_programs/global_youth_institute/mississippi.
For more on MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, visit www.cals.msstate.edu.
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