Selma University student Mieka Callines will intern in the Washington, D.C. office of Congresswoman Terri Sewell this summer.

Callines, who is also Miss Selma University, said she was at first hesitant to apply but is now glad she did.

“It’s an amazing feeling. Never in a million years could I imagine to have an opportunity like this,” Callines said.

She leaves Sunday and will be gone for the next four weeks. Callines will stay on the campus of George Washington University for free and will receive a stipend each week.

Callines said she is eager to learn more about the day-to-day operations on Congress.

“I hope to learn the ropes of the legislative system and the experience of working with others in a professional setting,” Callines said. “It means the world to me to work with such a powerful black woman, who can help and show me along the way.”

Callines said she plans to learn as much as she can from the experience.

“I’m blessed because I am a 22-year-old, single mother from the Southside of Selma. I grew up there and still live there. I’m a single mom to a four-year-old and most of the time, people who have children in high school are counted out,” Callines said.

She said she is humbled to have the opportunity to further her education and plans to represent Selma, her school and department as well as herself in the most positive light possible.

Selma University Business Department Chair Wanda Salone has seen Callines grow and said she is certain Callines has what it takes to be successful in the internship.

“She assumes a lot of leadership responsibilities on campus with students as well as in the classroom. She is an exemplary student. She carries herself very professionally and will represent Selma in a positive fashion,” Salone said

Callines will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and go on to get her master’s degree in accounting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“I want to show people that in a negative light, the sun always shines. This is where it all began. Selma is home and I will always remember that,” Callines said.