Du Quoin High School senior Emelyn Darnell has been recognized by state Sen. Paul Schimpf as an emerging leader in his Emerging Young Leaders Award program.
"The goal of this program is to encourage students to be thinking about, and engaged in, government and public policy," Schimpf said Wednesday. "This is an opportunity to spark an early interest in public service and to offer the students a chance to see government in action."
The Emerging Young Leaders program began with an essay contest, where students were tasked with identifying a policy or cultural problem in Illinois government and recommend a course of action to repair the issue. Darnell's essay focused on the state minimum wage.
As part of the program, winners were offered a chance to shadow Schimpf during a day of legislative session in Springfield, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic her day could not be scheduled.
"I've been extremely impressed with the young leaders that this program has helped to identify," Schimpf said. "I am hopeful that this will be a first step towards careers in public service for these bright young minds."
