Three Wadena-Deer Creek juniors have been selected to attend American Legion Boys State this summer.
Boys State is among the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students. Each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.
Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935.
This year, Andrew McCullough, Logan Taggart and Konnor Stueve were chosen to attend the state program by Wadena and Deer Creek American Legion posts.
Wadena Legion Post member Dennis Peterson said it has been a few years since any WDC boys have attended and in previous years just one student was chosen.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We had some excellent applicants this year and we decided to go with three," he said.
Interviews were done with McCullough, Taggart and Stueve a few weeks ago. They were selected on merit, including how well they have done in school and their feelings on government. Legion members talked with their teachers as well to get a feel for the students.
Peterson, along with Deer Creek Legion members Walt Wiskow and Dean Eckhoff, met with the boys last week to talk about the opportunity to attend Boys State.
At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.
Expenses associated with attending this program are being paid for by the sponsoring Wadena and Deer Creek American Legion Posts.
"We have had students that went and decided to join the military because of what they learned at Boys State," Peterson said.
"It's not a requirement, though," Eckhoff said. "Many of the students end up with a greater understanding of government and say it's one of the best experiences."
This year's Boys State program is from June 12-18 at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.
