Natives complete internships
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Two Brewton natives recently completed summer internships in the Washington, D.C. office of Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.). and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, (R-Ala.)
Trinidad Miller, a native of Brewton, is a senior at the University of Alabama, where he is majoring in marketing with a double specialization in sales and services marketing.
He is planning to graduate from the University of Alabama next May.
During his internships, he assisted with legislative and administrative tasks including answering the phones, giving visitors tours of the U.S. Capitol, assisting with research, running errands, and attending hearings.
“I am very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to serve Alabama’s First District alongside Congressman Byrne and his staff for the past few weeks,” Miller said. “ This internship has been both engaging and rewarding. I am looking forward to using all that I have learned from this experience in my future endeavors. I could not have asked for a better office to intern with than Team Byrne and cannot thank them enough for providing me with this opportunity.”
Miller, who was home this week, said that he plans to attend graduate school, hopefully at the University of Alabama. He plans to seek an MBA or master’s in marketing.
He is a 2015 graduate of T.R. Miller High School, and is the son of Dr. B. Keith Miller and Gabriella Miller.
Miller said when he first went to college he had plans to study law, but was drawn to business.
“I like identifying people’s needs,” he said.
Miller said his favorite part was to interact with constituents, conduct tours and answer phones.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better congressman to work for,” he said.
Miller said he is unsure what he wants to do after graduation or where he will go.
“I’ll see where the good Lord takes me,” he said. “Brewton is home and T.R. Miller helped shape who I am.”
Byrne said that it is always a joy to host Alabamians for internships in the nation’s capital.
“This group showed great interest and passion for our state and the various issues facing our nation,” he said. “ Whether it was giving a tour of the Capitol or researching a legislative initiative, they went above and beyond to serve the people of Southwest Alabama. I wish them all the best as they prepare to enter the next chapter of their lives.”
William Yancey Jernigan V, son of Emmie Pilcher Jernigan and the late William Yancey Jernigan IV of Brewton, Alabama, completed an internship in his Washington office this summer.
During his time interning for Senator Shelby, Jernigan researched current legislation, conducted tours of the U.S. Capitol building, attended several hearings on critically important issues, and assisted constituents with various requests.
“The Congressional Internship Program provides students with a unique opportunity to experience the day-to-day workings of Capitol Hill,” said Senator Shelby. “First-hand involvement in our nation’s legislative process gives students a realistic perspective of various topics taught in the classroom. I have no doubt that these students have bright futures ahead of them and am grateful for their hard work and assistance to my Washington office.”
Yancey Jernigan is a rising senior at Auburn University, and will graduate with a degree in Marketing in the spring of 2019. He is a member of the Executive society in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business as well as numerous honor societies. Jernigan has served as the Scholarship Chairman for Sigma Nu fraternity for the past two years and has been listed on the Dean’s List since enrolling in 2015. He has plans to attend law school upon graduation, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming an attorney.
“This internship has been an incredible experience that has exposed me to so many opportunities for the future,” said Yancey Jernigan. “I have met so many new people and my professional network has grown exponentially. It has been a blessing to work with this friendly, welcoming office and be a part of Team Shelby. They truly work so hard for the state of Alabama and our country, and I have been able to witness that work first-hand. I cannot thank Senator Shelby and his staff enough for this opportunity.”