Three chosen for American Legion Boys and Girls State program
These three North Greene students have been chosen by the White Hall American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary to attend Boys State and Girls State at Eastern Illinois University this month in Charleston. Left to right: Natalie Rogers, Jacob Haskell and Abigail Jones. (Submitted photo)
By Carmen Ensinger
The White Hall American Legion American Legion Post #70 and White Hall American Legion Auxiliary Post #70 are sponsoring one young man and two young ladies from North Greene High School to attend Boys and Girls State this year.
Jacob Haskell, son of Jeff and Jody Haskell, has been chosen to attend the American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State which will be held the week of June 11-17 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
The girls chosen to attend American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, also at Eastern Illinois University, the week of June 19-26 are: Abigail Jones, daughter of Emily and Tyler Forrester and Allen Jones and Natalie Rogers, daughter of Jim and Tiffany Rogers.
At Boys State, there are three areas of focus – education, government and achievement. The program has a heavy focus on education through a learn by doing approach. Throughout the week, Haskell will participate in classroom seminars, group discussions, interactive experiences and other immersive learning methods he participates in the program.
The core focus of Boys State is the election of officials to operate various positions within a mythical 51st state, simulating the experience of city, county and state level governmental functions during the week-long program.
During the week they ensure that there are ample opportunities for every citizen to have his moment. While only one citizen will be elected governor, there are so many more ways, both formal and informal, for each citizen to achieve.
From four different types of election processes to informal trivia night to seminar discussions to presenting the “nightly news” to sports championships, there are a variety of achievements – large and small – that allow our citizens to have a week that shapes a lifetime.
No matter what roles or positions are held during the week, perhaps the most important is that of citizen. Each citizen who fully participates in the program is recognized in the hope that they will continue the American ideals that are presented during Boys State.
Girls State is similar in that Jones and Rogers will learn about the political process by electing officials for all levels of state government and actively running a mock government. The girls are assigned to mock cities and either the “Federalist Party” or the “Nationalist Party.”
Assistance from American Legion Auxiliary volunteers ensures the program’s nonpartisan governmental, patriotic and civic objectives are carried out through interactive learning. The week is filled with many learning opportunities but there is always time for fun and the formation of long-term friendships in the process.
