JoLeigh Payne

JoLeigh Payne, a student at Southeast Lauderdale Middle School, was recently selected to represent Alcorn State University and the state of Mississippi at the 2024 Ignite by 4-H National Youth Summit in Washington, D.C.

Held at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown hotel in March, Ignite by 4-H was a four-day event attended by more than 1,200 high school-aged teens. The summit brought together youth leaders from across the country to develop the knowledge and skills needed to address today’s issues facing young people, including nutrition education, physical fitness, wellness and emotional well being.

Participants also were exposed to career prep and networking, inspiring and respected panelists and speakers, educational workshops, community action plan development, community service projects, field trips and the state showcase 4-H agricultural and STEM programs.

Payne, who served as a youth ambassador to the summit, is a seventh-grade student at Southeast Middle School. She is a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she is a member of the youth choir, the youth ushers and the Praise dance team. She is the daughter of Brittanye’ Kelly and the granddaughter of Richard and Dr. Ceatrice Kelly of Meridian.