Tate High School student to represent Fla. at U.S. Senate

CANTONMENT, Fla. (WALA) - Amy Sapp, 17, said she's never shied away from public speaking at Tate High School.

But March 2013, Sapp will have the chance to speak to the country's most powerful officials in our nation's capital.

Sapp was chosen as one of two students in Florida to represent the state as a part of the U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington D.C.

"I'm absolutely humbled, and I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity," said Sapp.

After applying, she studied up on politics, wrote three essays and put together a list of her accomplishments.  

Her final step was an interview with local political representatives.

 "They asked me what my thoughts were on Constitutional amendments, what I would change about the constitution and what my thoughts were on politics," Sapp said, "I'm just a high school kid, and I didn't know if I was giving the right answers."

Sapp said along with Mock Trials, she's taken advantage of every club her high school has to offer. She said she plans to be in politics one day

She was actually named one of the top mock trial attorneys in the nation.

"Having them give me this award and saying we think you're cut out for this, tells me I'm going in the right direction," said Sapp.

She saud she has advice for any student looking to follow in her footsteps.

"Don't slack off your freshman year because they start looking at you then. All of high school counts so do as much as you can. Work as hard as you can but also have some fun," Sapp said.

Sapp was granted a $5000 scholarship and will spend a week in D.C., visiting with members of the Senate, the House as well as the President.

For more information on the U.S. Senate Youth Program, you can visit their website.