Delegates selected for Boys, Girls State
The American Legion 2007 Boys State will be held May 27 to June 2 at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. Delegates and alternates for 2007 have been chosen to represent Warren County High School and Boyd Christian School.
Boys State delegates are being sponsored by American Legion Post 173, while Girls State participants are sponsored by the Post 173 Auxiliary Unit.
According to organizers, the goal of both of these programs is to provide first-hand knowledge to young men and women about how city, county and state government works.
County Executive John Pelham says he and wife Rhonda have learned to appreciate the program on a personal level.
?We were blessed that both of our children attended,? Pelham said. ?Zach attended Boys State, and Whitney attended Girls State, thanks to the efforts of our American Legion. There are tremendous lessons learned there about government. It?s a great experience for kids here and across the state. Local Boys and Girls State chairmen Charles and Pauline Norton have done a wonderful job over the years.?
Boys State continues to be the leading training ground for tomorrow?s leaders from the local to the national level. It is not a schoolroom activity but a practical experience for young men dealing with the actual problems of government as it operates in Tennessee.
Boys State is not meant to take the place of civics or government as the classes are taught in high school. It is planned so young men may put into actual practice the theories of government though actual participation in city, county and state government organized as a mythical 51st state.
This year?s Boys State delegates from WCHS are Justin Martin Bouldin, Matthew Donald Cowan, Brent N. Day, Jackson Caleb Ewton, Aaron Cody Miller, Curtis Ladale Strode and Ryan Charles Watlington. Alternates are Nathan Chad Page and Zachery Garrett Seamons.
The Boyd Christian School delegate is Mitchell A. Young and the alternate is Jackson Ray Burch.
Volunteer Girls State (VGS) is the Tennessee session of a nationwide leadership and citizenship training program offered to young women by the American Legion Auxiliary. Established in 1946, he program is a non-partison, non-political attempt to teach and encourage civic responsibility in rising seniors across the state. This year?s Girls State will be held at Middle Tennessee State University from May 27 to June 2.
Tennessee?s Girls State program provides tested and effective hands-on experience in city, county and state government, as well as innovative activities and personal growth opportunities for every citizen. The activities include, but are not limited to, athletics, academics, public speaking and music.
The entire week is facilitated and chaperoned by dedicated and experienced staff members, all of whom are former delegates to VGS. Tennessee?s Girls State program is regularly recognized as one of the top Girls State programs in the nation.
The 2007 Volunteer Girls State delegates from WCHS are Mary Kate Fisher and Amy Elizabeth Hutton. Alternates are Hannah Suzanne Taylor and Brittany Nichole Frazier.
For Boyd Christian School the delegate is Kelsey Hall and the alternate is Ashley Parker.