Sean Graham is one of 1,500 students chosen nationally as a Washington Youth Delegate. He will join the rest of his cohort this summer. 

THOMASVILLE- Thomasville City Scholars Academy junior, Sean Graham, has been chosen by Grady EMC to represent the cooperative and state as a delegate on the Washington Youth Tour this summer. Graham will be the first representative from THS in seven years to join over 100 students from across Georgia and 1,500 from across the nation as a delegate. 

Graham explained he was nominated by counselor Marcie West, before he then interviewed with four female students and four male students in front of Grady EMC representative Adam Starr.

“He made up a scenario and we had to respond with questions and answers,” Graham said. 

Upon the conclusion of the first interview, three students were chosen to go to Grady EMC in Cairo for individual interviews. Graham said they were joined by three students from Thomas County Central, Cairo and Bainbridge.

“There were about 12 of us competing for this opportunity,” he said. “I definitely didn’t think I would win, but I wasn’t nervous, because I had a game the night before, where I got all my nerves out, so I was just ready to go the day of the interview.” 

When Graham was notified later that day of his acceptance into the program, he was ecstatic. 

He said he does have an interest in political science, but he’s not set on that path; he sees the opportunity to be a Washington Youth Delegate as more of a life experience than anything else. 

“I’m most looking forward to meeting new people, experiencing new people and hearing their stories and how their application process was,” he said. “It’ll be a great networking opportunity.” 

Prior to boarding the flight for D.C., Graham said all the participants will meet up in Atlanta and play ice breaker games before they move in together in a D.C. hotel for the duration of their experience. 

Once Graham arrives in D.C., he said he doesn’t know what the exact schedule will entail, but he has been informed he will be able to directly discuss issues with his local senator. 

“I don’t necessarily have anything I want to talk to him about right now, just because I don’t know if it will be a one-on-one meeting or a group discussion, but I think as time goes on and I get more specifics about how it will go, I’ll have something to say,” Graham said. 

Graham acknowledged that there is a little amount of pressure with it being the first time in seven years a THS student has been chosen for the position of delegate, but said it also makes it that much more special. 

“It’s a little bit of pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” he said. 

Despite the pressure some students may feel, Graham highly encourages his fellow classmates to seek out opportunities like this. 

“Even if you aren’t interested in politics, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “It’s all paid for, just go out and get to know people. It’s not something you should count out, just because it’s politics.” 

Graham is thankful to Grady EMC for giving him the opportunity to not only visit D.C. for the first time, but fly on a plane. 

“I really want to see the capitol, and if we get to see the White House that would be amazing too, but I’m just really looking forward to the experience overall,” he concluded.

Graham said both of his parents were really supportive of him during his interviews and are excited for his time as a delegate to begin. 

Once his journey as a delegate is over, Graham said he will return and provide updates on his experience.