Although he’s not quite 18 years old, Northeast High School senior Matthew Kiefer has already made his mark in Washington D.C. thanks to the Meridian Rotary club.

At Wednesday’s regular Rotary meeting, Kiefer came to thank the club and to talk a little about his experience at the 2009 Lott Leadership Institute.

“It’s benefited me greatly. I’ve been given the possiblity of interning with Congressman (Gregg) Harper, but it’s been more about learning to serve, not just in your community but statewide” Kiefer said.

The Lott Leadership Institute for High School Students is a partnership between the University of Mississippi’s Lott Leadership Institute and the Division of Outreach’s Summer College for High School Students.

The program is designed to develop leadership skills in young citizens and prepare them for college.

During the program students are able to converse with college administrators while participating in current event debates, discussions, and decision-making activities.

The students are then treated to a week long trip to Washington D.C. where they can see government in action on top of getting to tour the capitol.

“I was there for the healthcare debate, and it was just really interesting to see how passionate everyone from both sides was about the issue. They were very detailed about why they felt the way they did.You could tell they really wanted to be there to make a difference,” Kiefer said.

Wink Glover of the Rotary club said that he feels that Kiefer’s achievements speak for themselves.

“He’s just a well-rounded young man,” Glover said. “It was a great opportunity for him, and we were glad to help him.”

Some of these achievements include being the class treasurer at school, student council member, and takes all available AP and honors classes.

While the experience was great for Kiefer, it did come with a price.

“The day that I left for the Institute was the day my father left for Iraq. He took these orders so I could stay here and graduate at Northeast High School, because he felt it was best for me not only to go to school here, but to go to college here. He believes Meridian has given us so much, and he feels this is the best place we’ve lived by far,” Kiefer said.

For more information on the Lott Summer Leadership Institute you can log on to: http://www.lottinst.olemiss.edu/Outreach/Summer_Inst.html.