Local Legion Sponsors Six Boys State Delegates

To the Editor,

The officers and members of Brems-Hetzel-Meester Memorial Post 531 of The American Legion is proud to sponsor six Mahwah High School juniors as candidates to attend American Legion Jersey Boys’ State at Rider University, Lawrenceville, from June 16-21, 2013.  Representing the Mahwah Post this year are: James Kayal, Justin Mohre, Jake Ehrhardt, Erik Wong, Brian Pushie, and Aditya Singh.

American Legion Boys State is a unique summer educational program for high school juniors focusing on participation and personal experience in a  model state, complete with governmental bodies and elected public officials.  It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of state government while providing training in practical citizenship, leadership and character development through a non-partisan perspective.  More than 800 delegates from New Jersey attend each year.

The participants assume responsibilities and perform duties, either as an elected or appointed official, or fulfill an assignment detailing the duties of responsible citizenship. Participants are assigned to a mythical political party.  They get involved at various levels of government, including party caucuses and conventions.  They also develop platforms and run for office.  

When they return to school for their senior year, they are able to take a more active role in their student government.  Selection to Boys State is a testimony to a participant’s character and leadership skills and is an experience recognized by employers, service academies, and university admission boards as an indicator of strong leadership and character traits.

At the end of the week-long process, Jersey Boys State will elect a Governor and Senators.  This is truly “a week that shapes a lifetime.”  Former Boys State Delegates are Gov. Chris Christie, US Senator Bob Menendez, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and Newark Mayor Corey Booker, to name a few.

Boys State helps to develop a keen interest in government, to arouse a full understanding of American traditions and loyalty to the United States of America and to maintain our form of government, and to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation.

Good luck to this year’s candidates!

Frank Calandrillo

Brems-Hetzel-Meester Memorial Post 531 of The American Legion

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