Student Spotlight is a weekly feature highlighting the best and the brightest at area schools. It appears each Tuesday in The Journal. To nominate a student for Student Spotlight, contact Katiann Marshall at kmarshall@journal-news.net; 304-263-3381, ext. 182; or www.twitter.com/kmarshallJN.
SPRING MILLS — Adrien Inman, a senior at Spring Mills High School, is one of two West Virginia students selected as a delegate to the 54th annual United States Senate Youth Program.
Inman, 18, will represent West Virginia at the program's annual Washington Week to be held March 5-12 in Washington, D.C.
During the week-long trip, Adrien and 103 other students from across the country will have an opportunity to meet with members of Congress. Inman and other students in the program will tour the Capitol and the White House, visit many of the national monuments and museums, and even attend meetings and briefings with President Obama. Congressional members and staff, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the media will also be in attendance.
Inman also received a $5,000 scholarship from The Hearst Foundations, although he said he is more excited about the experience than the money.
During the application process, Inman had to make it through three rounds. The intial round involved taking a civics test. Inman first applied for the program as a junior, but didn't make it past the first round.
"When I was a junior I didn't know what to expect," Inman said. "I sat down and it asked who our state treasurer was. And I had no idea who that was," Inman laughed. "I was way in over my head."
He applied again during his senior year.
"I was way more prepared this time around. I knew what to expect and what would most likley be on the test. After I handed in the test the second time around I felt much better about it," Inman said.
After passing the civics test, Inman had to then fill out a full application and write an essay. Once that was accepted his final step was to travel to Charleston and give a speech on a political issue and/or topic. Inman was one of six students to make it to this round and he delivered a speech on foreign affairs.
When Inman found out he was one of two West Virginia students to be selected by state Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano, he said he couldn't believe it.
"I was in between physics and chinese class. My mom texted me and said the letter came in the mail from the Hearst Foundations and asked if I wanted her to open it. Of course I told her to 'please open it' and then when she told me I was chosen... I was just so stoked," Inman said.
"It's just such a great opportunity and I am really, really thankful for it," Inman added.
Marc Arvon, Spring Mills High principal, said he is proud of Inman for receiving this honor.
"What a model student he is, a well versed student... a great role model he would be for any student for anywhere," Arvon said.
"We are absolutely very excited for him to be one of two students from West Virginia chosen. So for him to represent Spring Mills High School and Berkley County in this prestigious honor is just wonderful," Arvon added.
Inman hopes this opportunity adds to his experiences and helps him succeed in his future plans.
"I really want to grasp the interworkings the politics of America. Poltics can be messy troublesome stuff sometimes, it can be hard to understand because it can be confusing. So getting that inside look, I am just really excited to learn the inside of politics and see what really goes on behind closed doors and to really understand it," Inman said.
Inman has served as a student council representative for two years, he is a member of the National Honor Society as well as an Eagle Scout. Inman is the captain of the varsity soccer team and is also a part of the swim and track team.
He was an exchange student for seven weeks in China last summer, where he fell in love with the culture. He hopes to attend the Naval Academy where he will become a Naval Officer and his ultimate goal is to become the U.S. ambassador for China.
Arka Gupta, 18, of George Washington High School in Charleston, was the other West Virginia student named with Inman to the elite U.S. Senate program by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. earlier this month.
"As leaders in their schools and communities who are dedicated to public service, Arka and Adrien have earned a place among the nation's top high school students in this prestigious program. I look forward to welcoming them to Washington," Moore said in a prepared statement.
"Both Arka and Adrien are accomplished young leaders who, through hard work and dedication to their communities and academics, have proven their commitment to learning and understanding our great democracy," Manchin said in a prepared statement.
