Three Sunflower County students recently traded the classroom for the Mississippi State Capitol, spending a week learning firsthand how laws are made and how leaders serve the public.
Under the sponsorship of state Sen. Sarita Simmons, D-District 13, Derrick Johnson Jr. of Moorhead Central School, along with E’Miya Allen and Khiyla Powell of Gentry High School, served as legislative pages through the GAP Leadership Program. The program focuses on empowering Mississippi youth with leadership skills, civic engagement and community-focused learning opportunities.
Johnson, an eighth grader, worked on the Senate side of the Capitol, where he spent his days running errands, making copies and delivering documents to various offices. He said the fast-paced routine gave him a closer look at how lawmakers and staff members do their jobs, describing himself as “one of the fastest and most active pages,” though he noted with a laugh that he forgot his assignments twice.
The experience showed him just how busy and collaborative state government can be. Johnson said the Senate chamber felt calmer, while the House side was larger and more hectic, underscoring how many people and moving parts it takes to keep the legislative process on track.
“I learned that leaders have to stay focused, make good decisions and work with others to get things done,” Johnson said. He added that respect and responsibility stood out as essentials for anyone hoping to lead.
Among the people he met, Johnson said the Capitol’s head of security left a strong impression by explaining how he works each day to keep visitors and lawmakers safe. He also praised Simmons for her kindness and attention to the students, noting that she shared meals with them, asked about their lives back home and made sure they felt welcome.
“She listened to us, gave great hugs and took us to nice restaurants,” he said. “That made me feel special and appreciated.”
Allen, a Gentry High School senior, said the week at the Capitol gave her an up-close view of both leadership and lawmaking. She assisted senators and staff, observed meetings, helped with daily tasks and learned how the legislative process works firsthand.
“I learned that leadership requires responsibility, strong communication, teamwork and making decisions that benefit the community,” Allen said. The most memorable moment for her was meeting Simmons and watching how the senator supports and represents the people in her district.
“This opportunity inspired me to stay involved in my community, take leadership seriously and use my voice to create positive change,” Allen said.
GAP Leadership Program Director Dr. Shequita Johnson said placing students in real decision-making spaces is a key part of the organization’s mission. The program works to close educational gaps and help young people build skills for leadership, workforce readiness and community change.
“The GAP Leadership Program is proud to co-sponsor opportunities that place our students in rooms where leadership happens,” Dr. Johnson said. “Senator Sarita Simmons went above and beyond to ensure our students represented the Mississippi Delta with excellence and confidence.”
“This is how we change the future of the Mississippi Delta,” she added, “by giving our students access, exposure and the confidence to lead.”
For Derrick Johnson Jr., the Capitol may just be the beginning. He said the week of paging deepened his interest in public service and showed him that even small roles can make a meaningful difference in a community, and he hopes to stay active in civic life — possibly working in government one day.
