Annual Boys State and Girls State Programs announced

By Dave Tanguay

The American Legion Field-Allen Post and Auxiliary takes great pleasure in offering this highly visible education opportunity for our community youth. For the 72^nd consecutive year, the American Legion is hosting the traditional Boys State Convention to be held at Thomas College, Waterville from June 21 through 25.

The exciting news! The Legion Auxiliary is making plans to host the Girls State Convention at Thomas Collage during the same period. This will afford both high school junior boys and girls an opportunity to share some of their experiences this year with a goal of full integration of the programs in the future.

The Boys and Girls State Programs provides an opportunity to participate in a program that supplements the students’ high school courses in government and how it functions. In this program, our young adults role-play as they learn to campaign for local, county and state offices and then organize and carry out the functions of the state government.

Any high school junior interested in learning about town and state government qualifies for Boys and Girls State. Information pertaining to the program is made available for all juniors at their school guidance office. All students at all scholastic levels may apply. Additionally, the Legion Field-Allen Post family will host an information session open to all juniors on Wednesday, March 18 to brief them on the programs. Additional application forms for both programs will be available at that time.   

There will be a follow-up interview session by the Legion Family on Tuesday, April 14^th for those interested students. All forms must be completed at time of interview. For more info on Boys State, please go to: http://www.mainelegion.org/pages/programs/boys-state.php. Girls State Information is pending and will be available by the end of February. Contact Pam Whynot for additional information at 892- 4720 or pwhynot81719@roadrunner.com.

The tuition of $320.00 is covered by the sponsors, the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 and Unit 148. If you want to become a cosponsor, contact Dave Tanguay, 892-1306 for additional information.

Last year nearly 200 high school juniors attended each of these outstanding programs. This year, the American Legion is attempting to expand that number and appreciate any assistance to attain this goal. There is no limit to the number of boys or girls a school may send. Currently, the Field-Allen Post and Unit have budgeted funding for four delegates and would welcome additional interest from organizations to support the funding needs.

At the Boys State Convention this year, three scholarships will be offered to attendees. Two of the scholarships are for $500 sponsored by The American Legion, Department of Maine. The third is the Samsung Scholarship offered through our National HQ for $1250 (please visitwww.legion.org/scholarships/samsung).  Additional scholarships from the Alumni Association will be offered year to year depending upon funding. Information on Girls Sate Scholarship is pending.

To our high school junior boys and girls, if you are civic minded and desire to learn more about government, then please apply through your guidance office. Tell them you want to attend Boys or Girls State!  This can be a life altering opportunity! Deadline for application to the American Legion Post is May 1^st.