Chris Baker Of James Clemens Named Governor At Alabama Boys State
MADISON– For the second consecutive year a student from James Clemens High has been elected Governor of the American Legion Alabama Boys State. Chris Baker was chosen for the position and was so named at the 82nd annual Alabama Boys State held for one week on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
“The honor is one of the great things to happen to me in my life,” said Baker, a junior at James Clemens where he plays football and baseball. “At the one week gathering there was some great comradery built in the short time we were there, but some friendships built to last a lifetime.”
Boys State is set to educate the youth of Alabama in the duties and privileges of American citizenship. The program also stresses the knowledge of the practical aspects of government and places the attending delegates in the same positions of decision making as their real life counterparts. As many as 650 students from across Alabama were chosen to attend the program and Baker was elected by the students from among 36 who actually ran for the office of Governor.
“I ran an actual campaign, had speeches in front of the delegation and had debates with others in the election process,” added Baker, the son of Chris and Tomi Baker. “After the positions were filled, we work with others across the state and run a mock government. Personally, I learned so many things including talking in front of a vast amount of people, leadership qualities and how to implement my leadership skills. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Upon being elected, Baker appointed fellow James Clemens student Jackson Burchfield to be executive secretary to the Governor. Baker will also make a trip to Washington D.C. in July and meet with the President and members of Congress.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Baker will enter his senior year with the Jets where he plays wide receiver for the football team and outfielder for the baseball program. He missed almost his entire junior season of football after suffering a labral tear of his left shoulder in the opening game of the 2018 season. He recovered from the injury in time to play baseball this past spring.
This summer the 17-year old attended a special West Point Summer Leadership Seminar where students experience what it’s like to be Cadet and to see first-hand if they can fit into the military culture. Baker said he should adhere to the military lifestyle as his father is a 30-plus-year veteran of the military. The young Baker was one of 500 from across the U.S. who were hand-picked for the seminar.
“They offer scholarships for the governor position at Boys State and that can be a substantial amount, so the position is very important in many ways,” added Baker. “Colleges look very closely at the position within a student’s resume. My plan is to attend West Point, but if that doesn’t work out I plan on attending Alabama where I want to pursue a degree in law.”
Baker played soccer for 10 years and even practiced taekwondo for several years. He also played trumpet in the Liberty Middle School band and was once nationally ranked in chess. He’s currently heavily involved in programs at James Clemens and is a student ambassador.
A career in the military is a great possibility for Baker should he make it to West Point as he’s attempting to secure a sponsorship for the military school from U.S. Representative Mo Brooks. “Yes, I see myself having a military career as both my grandfather and father did so.”
The two-sport athlete also said his injury he suffered last fall was a blessing. He added, “The injury caused me to put a lot of things into perspective, taught me a lot about myself and made me grow in character and having mental toughness.”
