West Hartford Students Attend Boys and Girls State Programs
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Conard High School student Grace Andrews (left) with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman at Girls State. Andrews became her party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor and after winning a close race became Connecticut's Girls State Lieutenant Governor. She also received the Most Outstanding Senator Award. Courtesy of the Andrews family
Eighteen West Hartford students were recently sponsored by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 to attend Boys State and Girls State programs.
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For one week, at Boys State and Girls State, young men and women learn about state and local government. It is a hands on approach to how government functions with state and local officials guiding the way.
The American Legion Girls State convention was recently held at Post University in Waterbury and attended by seven incoming seniors from local high schools. The attendees were sponsored by American Legion Post 96 Auxiliary to attend one of the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students.
Recipients of the Girls State awards were:
Conard High School: Grace Andrews and Kaleigh Werner.
Hall High School: Brae Sullivan and Jacqueline McConnell
Northwest Catholic High School: Clara Barnes, Elizabeth D’Arcangelo, and Eliza Wizner
The Boys State program was recently held at Eastern Connecticut State University and attended by 11 incoming seniors from local high schools. The attendees were sponsored by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96.
Recipients of the Boys State awards were:
Conard High School: Jack Moore and Malik Brown
Hall High School: Craig Wasielewski and Cole Canarie
Loomis Chaffee: John Costello
Northwest Catholic High School: Noah Lisle, Dawid Karpiej, Christopher Raymond, Shayne Rice, and Luke Fox
A.I. Prince Technical High School: Dante Skyes
Girls and Boys State is 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.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the Four Pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. With a current membership of over 2 million wartime veterans, 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 has been serving our Veterans and the community for 95 years. Further information is available on the Post’s website at www.post96.org or phone the Post at 860-233-9029.
