Mississippi Receives the 2025 NASS IDEAS Award

For Immediate Release
August 6, 2025

Biloxi, MS — The members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) have selected the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office as the 2025 IDEAS (Innovation, Dedication, Excellence and Achievement in Service) Award recipient for their “SOS Student Ambassador” program. 

This program is a collaborative initiative involving high school seniors, the Secretary of State's Office, and Secretary of State Michael Watson. Students who are passionate about leadership and state government gain the tools necessary to return to their schools as advocates for voter education and awareness. They frequently engage with representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office, the Mississippi State Legislature, as well as other prominent local, state, and national leaders.

“The SOS Student Ambassador program is one of the best things we have started in Mississippi. Mentoring and investing in Mississippi’s future leaders will outlive any policy or legislative initiative. I look forward to seeing these students lead our state and nation,” said Watson.

The award was presented to Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson by Minnesota Secretary of State and NASS President Steve Simon on Wednesday, August 6, during the 2025 NASS Summer Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Secretary of State Offices in Connecticut, Kentucky, and Rhode Island were also recognized for their outstanding finalist submissions. Learn more about NASS’s IDEAS Award here.

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Media Contacts:

Maria Benson, Senior Director of Communications
mbenson@nass.org | 202-624-3528

Brittany Hamilton, Communications & Special Projects Manager
bhamilton@nass.org