Bob Jones sends nine to Boys and Girls State
(L-R) Sarah Schumacher, Joseph Paschall, Adam Woelke, Daniel Lang, Victor Widgren
Cassidy Elliott Alexis Gurganious. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)
By Aldo Amato
Staff Reporter
MADISON — A selection of young men and women from Bob Jones High School were announced to attend the annual event at The University of Alabama June 9-15.
The nine juniors will represent the school at Alabama Boys State and Alabama Girls State where they will participate in mock government situations, meet state elected officials and others as they prepare to transition into college.
“Being selected to attend Alabama Boys and Girls State is one of the highest honors granted to Alabama students,” Bob Jones Counselor Patty Piro said. “These current juniors were selected from a very competitive field of applicants based on their demonstration of strong leadership, interest in government and current events, strong morals, leadership in school and community activities and high scholastic standing.”
Juniors attending this year’s Boys State include Daniel Lang, Adam Woelke, Charles Boyd, Joseph Paschall, Victor Widgren and Brian Tachias. For Girls State, Alexis Gurganious, Sarah Schumacher and Cassidy Elliott.
The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary hold both events to build a better relationship between emerging young leaders with government officials like Gov. Robert Bentley to popular Alabama figures like Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban.
This is the 75th Anniversary for Boys State. According to a pamphlet handed out by the Boys State staff, “The purpose of Boys State is to educate our youth in the duties and privileges of American citizenship and is a program of practical aspects of the government.”
Scholarships are available but Piro said the delegates can always be sponsored.
If an organization interested is interested in sponsoring a junior to Boys or Girls State, they are urged to call the guidance office at Bob Jones at (256) 772-2547.