Isaac Gilles, a rising senior at Conard High School in West Hartford, has been elected as one of two Connecticut representatives to Boys Nation.

Conard senior Isaac Gilles has been elected to the American Legion Boys Nation. Photo from Boys State 2015

Submitted by Commander Moe Fradette

Isaac Gilles, a rising senior at Conard High School, has been elected by the Boys State Convention to attend Boys Nation which will be held in Washington, D.C., July 17-24.

The Boys State convention, which was recently held at Eastern Connecticut State University, selected Gilles as one of two delegates to attend Boys Nation. Each year two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government.

Thirteen incoming seniors from West Hartford’s high schools were selected by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 to attend the 2015 Girls and Boys State conventions recently held at ECSU. American Legion Girls and Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students.

The Girls State program, which is sponsored by the Post 96 American Legion Auxiliary, was held at ECSU June 27 – July 2. Recipients of the Girls State awards are: Conard High School, Eve Gilles and Katherine Gosselin; Hall High School, Nia Fraser and Claudia Hess; Northwest Catholic, Julia Christolini and Erin Tully.

The Boys State program was held at ECSU June 20-28. Recipients of the Boys State awards, which is sponsored by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96, are: Conard High School, Isaac Gilles and Gabriel Turco; Hall High School, Adam Maidman and Ian Enders; Northwest High School, Timothy O’Donnell, Ian D’Arcangelo, and Ryan Rich.

Girls and Boys State are a participatory program where each delegate becomes part of the operation of his local, county and state government. At American Legion Girls State and Boys State participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices.

Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

The American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 of West Hartford is a 100 percent smoke-free facility and is open to military veterans who have served honorably during a wartime era and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available on the Post’s website at www.post96.org or the public is welcome to visit Hayes-Velhage Post 96 at 45 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT. 06107, phone 860-233-9029.