The Natural State can be overwhelmingly proud of the next generation of leaders it is cultivating. From elementary school to college, our youth have earned national recognition for community service, athletic and academic achievements and even heroic actions in emergency situations. The dedication, skills and talents we see demonstrated every day are inspiring and offer hope and confidence in the future for Arkansas and our nation.

I always enjoy interacting with young Arkansans and seeing their passion and personal growth come alive. Recent interactions with youth involved in agriculture, health care, civic engagement and journalism have all showcased the same desire to learn, better themselves and their communities, and make a mark on the future.

As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, I was pleased to meet with Arkansas’s Future Farmers of America State Officer Team and the Arkansas 4-H’ers recently. They represent our next generation of agricultural leaders, and I am confident their experiences, as well as the lessons they are learning and the friendships they are building, will last a lifetime. I have personally witnessed the benefits of active involvement with my own daughters who were 4-H members and state record book winners. 

Lawmakers have many opportunities to engage with students who have a wide variety of interests and causes. This year, I have met with resilient young people who came to share their personal experiences living with diabetes while pushing for continued research, discuss the impact that performing arts involvement has had on Arkansas Educational Theatre Association members, and visit with aspiring environmental sciences students as they look forward to exciting future careers. 

Just last week, I was impressed by the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation and American Legion Boys Nation students who were selected to participate as senators in a mock legislature to learn about civic engagement. These outstanding and bright high school students demonstrated their enthusiasm for public policy and were excellent ambassadors for our state.

My offices in Washington and Arkansas also host opportunities for young Arkansans to learn more about the legislative process and serve our state.

College students and recent graduates leave their mark as congressional interns who spend time learning more about the federal government by working closely with our policy and communications teams, while participants in Arkansas assist my state-based staff with advocating on behalf of constituents to federal agencies and representing me out in local communities.

High school juniors can apply for my office’s Congressional Youth Cabinet (CYC) or participate in the Senate Page program. Kicking off in October, the CYC provides the opportunity for exciting public policy dialogues and the pursuit of legislative solutions that are presented to me and my team. Senate Pages serve in the halls of Congress on Capitol Hill, playing an important and unique role in supporting the day-to-day workings of the Senate chamber and witnessing debates and interactions among our nation’s leaders.

Meeting and learning about the young men and women who pursue these opportunities is truly rewarding. It is a pleasure to play a small part in their journey to cultivate knowledge and skills that not only serve them well, but help my staff and I better serve our state.

As a U.S. Senator, I have the privilege of interacting with many of the leaders of tomorrow. I am grateful to students who take the time to involve themselves in these and other outlets for civic and academic enrichment. We can be very proud of them, as well as confident about our future in their hands.