Jackson Free Press

Steve Guyton, 63, has been involved in Mississippi politics for more than 40 years. He has worked on numerous campaigns and with countless public officials including Sen. Roger Wicker, former Rep. Chip Pickering and Rep. Gregg Harper. Guyton is currently the shared congressional staffer for congressmen Wicker and Pickering. His duty is helping students nominated by congressmen get into military academies such as the United States Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy.

"I appreciate congressmen Wicker and Pickering allowing me to do this full time," Guyton said in a statement. "I help these students with ACT/SAT prep and building their resumes. I really believe in helping students get scholarships, whether they are going to a military academy or to school here in Mississippi."

Guyton attended Kosciusko High School, where he served as the student-council president during his senior year. Before graduating, he paged for Sen. John Stennis in Washington, D.C., and later for House Speaker Walter Sillers in 1965 and 1966. He went on to attend the University of Mississippi, where he participated in a campaign called Ole Miss Students for Senator Eastland and served as campus senator. He graduated in 1970 with degrees in political science and journalism.

Guyton's main concern for more than 15 years has been Mississippi's youth. He is a participant in American Legion Boys State and Girls State, programs that teach Mississippi's high-school students about state government. He organizes college fairs and manages public relations for both organizations.