OXFORD,
\nMiss. – More than 800 high school students – the academic and community
\nleaders of tomorrow – visit the University of Mississippi this weekend
\nto participate in two events hosted by UM’s Division of Outreach and
\nContinuing Education.<\/p>\n
Nearly 500 students are coming as part of
\nthe 2009 Youth Leadership Summit coordinated by the Mississippi
\nMunicipal League, a nonprofit group that represents the cities and
\ntowns of Mississippi to the state Legislature. And more than 300
\nstudents are to participate in the 23rd annual UM Academic Invitational
\nTournament, or UMAIT, a quiz bowl competition for the best and
\nbrightest in Mississippi and Mid-South schools.<\/p>\n
The ambitious
\nstudents attending multiple lectures and seminars Saturday as part of
\nthe 2009 Youth Leadership Summit did not sign up for the event – they
\nwere recruited. All participants are youths chosen by the mayors of
\ntheir respective cities.<\/p>\n
Attendees will hear guest speakers and attend seminars related to current municipal issues. Seminars range from urban development strategies and dressing for success to the importance of community service. The summit runs 7 a.m.-3 p.m.<\/p>\n
UM senior Valerie Baggett, who was named Miss Hospitality for Oxford and Lafayette County, is to address students in the opening session. The keynote speaker is Paul Martin, an author and athlete who, despite the loss of his leg in a 1992 car accident, is a marathon runner. He has completed 10 Ironman Triathlons, among many athletic achievements since his accident. He holds the world record of such participation for leg amputees.<\/p>\n
“We are so pleased that more than 500 young people have registered for our conference in only its second year,” said Mayor Knox W. Ross Jr. of Pelahatchie, Mississippi Municipal League president. “It is exciting that these young people have an interest in municipal government and public service at an early age.”<\/p>\n
Also Saturday, 64 quiz bowl teams from more than 40 schools are to compete in a double-elimination tournament on topics ranging from fine arts and humanities to the sciences.<\/p>\n
The competition begins at 8 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. in Hume, Holman and Connor halls. Ole Miss faculty and staff will quiz team members, with UM students serving as scorekeepers and timekeepers. Students use a game show-style buzzer system in the event.<\/p>\n
“It’s a good time for everyone involved,” said Brian Starling, event coordinator. “These teams are really the cream of the crop from their high schools. They are the intellectuals. It is a chance for them to flex their mental muscles.”<\/p>\n
All schools must be invited to compete in the event. The UMAIT is considered to be one of the premier quiz bowls among Mississippi high school sponsors, Starling said.<\/p>\n
Teams are made up of freshmen through senior high school students, usually with four competitors and two alternates. Some schools send multiple teams. All participants receive a T-shirt and the winners get a trophy to take back to their respective schools.<\/p>\n
“There are some teams that do well every year, and we are seeing a lot of the same people come back,” Starling said. “When you get those veterans in there is when it really makes for a good competition.”<\/p>\n
For more information on the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, visit http:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.edu\/<\/a> .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"