U.S. Senator David Vitter has met with a 2015 Caddo Magnet High School graduate to congratulate him on his recent accomplishment.

Elijah Ash of Shreveport is a freshman majoring in physics at Princeton University in New Jersey. Ash was awarded the Boren Scholarship, and will be spending the summer studying Mandarin at Beijing Normal University with the 'Princeton in Beijing' program.

"Elijah is clearly a dedicated and well-rounded student and it's exciting to see young, talented students like him representing Louisiana around the country and abroad," Vitter said.

According to a news release from Vitter's office, Boren Scholarships allow students to study less commonly-taught languages and regions that are vital to our national security, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Recipients of this scholarship gain experience in an international environment, which helps them develop cultural expertise that's critical for U.S. government employees. In fact, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation in exchange for their funding.

If any of you think Ash's face looks familiar, it's possible that you know one or both of his parents. Jennifer (Jones) Ash and Braden Ash went to school in south Bossier, and graduated from Parkway High School, like I did. I suspect they're incredibly proud of their son's achievements, and we congratulate them -- as well as Elijah -- for a job well done.

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