Boys State Participants Attend Medfield American Legion Meeting

The November meeting of the American Legion Post 110 Medfield hosted several young men who attended Boys State 2013 last summer at Stonehill College.  This year the Post sponsored 10 young men who had just completed their junior year at Medfield High School.  Shown in the photo are from left to right: Boys State Chairman Karl Schwartz, Alexander Bugajski, Nicholas Daniele, Benjamin Brody, Charles Horan, John Newlon, John Coogan, Christopher Chen, Mike MacLean Commander Ron Griffin. Not shown but attended: Matthew Pucci and Clayton Strickler.

These young men each spoke at out November meeting for 5 minutes about their experiences while at Boys State and what they had learned. In general they spoke about gaining leadership skills, learning first-hand how the political process works, how they enjoyed meeting with young men from all over the State, and in most cases, how the process caused them to solidify or in some cases change their goals in what they wished to study in college, and what they would like to pursue as a career after graduation. The parents of these young were invited to attend the meeting to listen to their son’s talks.

One of the four pillars that define the American Legion is Americanism. The Legion celebrates Americanism through activities for young people, voter registration, citizenship programs, educational opportunities, and patriotic observances. Boys State, as key part of this pillar, provides allows young men the opportunity to learn firsthand how government works at the local, state and national level. Boys State programs have produced a United States president, senators, congressmen, governors, and leaders of business and industry. Coupled with academic achievement Boys State can be an attractive component of a dynamic student profile.