On Sunday, June 16, the Pennsylvania American Legion will open the 2019 session of Keystone Boys State (KBS) at Shippensburg University. KBS is an educational program which has been conducted annually in Pennsylvania since 1937. Its purpose is to help attendees understand the American system of government, appreciate the responsibilities of citizenship, and know the fundamental principles of leadership.
For the past several years, Austin L. Grove American Legion Post 403 in Glen Rock has consistently sponsored rising high school seniors to attend the program. This year, Post 403 will sponsor Susquehannock High School students Gavin Held, Rohit Kandala, Ian McDonald, and Mateo Vega and Spring Grove Area High School students Aiden Fissel, Lance Genciola, Trevor James, and Wesley Taylor.
KBS is a comprehensive, one-week workshop on the principles and organization of Pennsylvania government. Attendees learn about city, county, and state government by participating in simulations where they operate the agencies and levels of local governments in Pennsylvania themselves. At KBS 2019, youths will have the opportunity to hear about the Travis Manion Foundation and its vision to create a nation of purpose-driven individuals and thriving communities that is built on character. Participants will also attend a college fair with more than 30 colleges and universities represented; actively participate in a labor negotiation simulation on behalf of one of four parties in the pact; hear about leadership from Dr. John J. Bell, superintendent of the Delaware Valley School District and a national speaker; and compete for Samsung American Legion Scholarships.
Those chosen to attend KBS are high school juniors who are selected based on individual qualities such as character and school and community involvement and who express an interest in leadership and government. Honors, awards, extracurricular activities, employment history, and civic and church involvement are considered in the selection. As part of that process, each candidate was asked to complete an application and was interviewed by members of the post's Americanism Committee.
This year's selected students include student-athletes who have earned varsity letters and recognition as League All-Stars. The students also include Eagle Scouts, musicians, and members of Student Councils, Mock Trial Teams, Team America Rocketry Challenge and National Honor Society chapters. They are volunteers in their community. Many have expressed interest in continuing to serve their communities, state, or nation by pursuing teaching degrees in the sciences, serving as commissioned officers in the military, or serving as public servants.
More information about KBS is available at http://www.PABoysState.org.
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