F.I. High School senior going to Washington

Brady White, one of two Floridians selected

Many of Clay County’s political leaders gathered at Fleming Island High School on Friday, Jan. 27 to honor a student selected into the United States Senate Youth Program.

Brady White was notified in January that he would spend a week in Washington during March to meet with Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. The week also includes meetings with President Biden, a Supreme Court Justice, a foreign ambassador, senior officials of the State and Defense Departments, and media members.

Principal Thomas Pittman said the Fleming Island senior has a 4.74 GPA, is ranked 12th out of around 450 students in his class and will earn an Advanced International Certificate of Education through Fleming Island High School’s association with Cambridge University in England.

Clay County Public Schools Superintendent David Broskie said White chairs the superintendent’s student advisory council.

“This is the group of students that give voice (to undergraduates), so the district leadership can hear what students are thinking and what issues are important to students,” Broskie said.

The superintendent added that White had led a diverse group of strong-willed individuals on the advisory council.

“There’s no doubt Brady has the drive to be successful in life,” he said, “and as a real example, not only for Fleming Island but for all students in Clay County. Brady White is a true leader that’s moving forward. In fact, someday, he might be in charge of all of us.”

Bryan Campbell, district director for Congressman Aaron Bean, read a statement Bean had entered into the Congressional Record earlier in the day.

Campbell said that to be accepted into the program and win the $10,000 undergraduate scholarship that goes along with acceptance, White had to rank in the top one percent of all juniors and seniors in the state while displaying leadership and a commitment to volunteer work.

He added that upon graduation, White plans to earn a political science degree, attend law school and serve as a J.A.G. officer in the military.

The honoree thanked the many office holders who attended the ceremony at the school’s hall of fame and for supporting him during the program’s application process.

“I’ve always been told politics is just corrupt,” he said, “but in fact, I found the best people through politics, people who really want to do better for the community.”