Mount Pleasant High School sophomores Mary Kait Heeren and Connelly Cowan have been chosen as the 2019-2020 school ambassadors for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY).

As many as 300 “ambassadors” from high schools across the state and country gather at their local HOBY State Leadership Seminar between April and June to experience life on a university campus, interact with local community leaders, explore and exercise leadership on personal and group levels, conduct a community service project to put leadership-for-service skills into action, and open opportunities for internships, mentorship programs, and other HOBY Ambassadors Connect benefits.

Heeren is a two-year member of the Tiger Dolls, currently serving as a sergeant. As a Tiger Doll she has earned awards such as Most Dedicated, Most Spirited, Tiger Doll of the Week, and the Director’s Award of Excellence. She competes in UIL Math and at the High School Math Contest at Texas A&M University–Texarkana in 2018, she placed 1st in Geometry. She is a member of HOSA as part of the MPHS medical program and earned an academic award for World Geography. She is the daughter of Brian and Candace Heeren.

Cowan has served as the President of the Class of 2022 for two years. She is a four-year member of the Speech and Debate team, currently serving as its President, competing in Cross-Examination debate, Congressional debate and Extemporaneous Speaking. She is the 2019 UIL State Champion in Informative Extemporaneous Speaking, a 2019 UIL State bronze medalist in Cross Examination Debate, and a National Elimination Round Qualifier in Policy debate. She also competes in UIL Current Events. She has earned academic awards in English I, Pre-AP Chemistry and U.S. History. She is the daughter of Collin and Kelly Cowan.

Pictured L to R:
MPHS Principal Craig Bailey, Connelly Cowan, Mary Kait Heeren, and MPHS Class of 2022 Counselor Jamie Doan