American Legion Post 316 Releases Boys State Results

Press Release from American Legion Post 316, Woodstock, GA

American Legion Post 316 is honored to have sponsored 9 citizens (Woodstock area high school students) at the Department of Georgia’s American Legion Boys State Program. The program was held at the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA from June 14th – June 20th . The Boys State program is a comprehensive week long program in how state and local government functions. It is a program where the attendees take part in forming a mythical 51st state. During the week they get the opportunity to learn the political processes and build their state from the city, county and state levels.
At the graduation on June 20th it was announced that Christopher Gouin was selected as a Boys Nation Senator and will be representing the State of Georgia at The American Legion’s Boys Nation program in Washington, D.C. next month. It was also announced that Russell Smith was selected as a Boys Nation Senator Alternate. Both young men are Honor Graduates of the program.
Christopher Gouin is the son of Rachel and Paul Gouin of Roswell, GA and attends the Johnson Ferry Christian Academy where he is enrolled in the college preparatory program and has been a National Honor Society member since 2013. He is dual enrolled at Truett-McConnell College where he is on the President’s List and is also dual enrolled at Georgia Perimeter College or (Georgia Tech). Christopher has been involved in The Kings’ Academy Army Junior ROTC program in Woodstock, GA since 2012. He is expected to be a company co-Battalion Commander and co-Executive Officer during the 2015-2016 academic year. Christopher has held various leadership positions at The Kings’ Academy and also in the National Honor Society. He is a participant of the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy and was a founding member during the 2014-2015 school year. He was a Team Leader for 7 Bridges a project that helps feed and serve one of Atlanta’s largest homeless women’s shelters in 2014. Additionally, Christopher is involved in the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church’s Student Ministry where he is a Student Leader and has served on multiple international and domestic mission trips. Christopher has been a member of the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association and has competed in the Southeastern Regional Championships coming in 5th place overall. Other activities that Christopher has been involved in are football, soccer and swimming during his high school years. He participated in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) from 2012-2014, and recently attended the West Point Military Academy SLE workshop, and also the United States Naval Academy SLS program this summer. Christopher works for the Gym Management/Recreation staff at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and also works for Wisdom Properties, Inc., Marietta on their construction crew. Christopher would like to attend the United States Military Academy, West Point upon graduation from high school.
Russell Smith is the son of Hope and Charles Smith of Canton. Russell is a student at River Ridge High School in Woodstock, GA. Russell is a member of the Beta Club, Chick-Fil-A Leadership program and will be a group leader for Habitat For Humanity this coming school year. Russell has helped build Habitat For Humanity homes in our local community as well as helping at MUST ministries making food packets for distribution to people in the local community. To date they have made more than 93,000 food packets. Russell loves to fish and camp in his spare time and has worked for Autumn Hills Landscaping since August 2014. Russell would like to attend a university or college that offers a U.S. Army ROTC program and plans to get a commission and enter the Army upon graduation from college.
The following are the official results for the citizens who attended the Boys State program from June 14th – June 20th:
Blake Heyer (WHS) served on a City Council and served as a State Senator
Christopher Gouin (TKA) was named Lt Governor for the state, Honor Graduate and Boys Nation Senator
Porter Enloe (TKA) was named the State Commissioner of Insurance
Griffen Hedrick (RRHS) was a State Senator
Neil Pauquette (RRHS) was a County Superior Court Clerk
Russell Smith (RRHS) was a County Sheriff, Honor Graduate and Boys Nation Senator (Alternate)
Graham Smith (RRHS) served on a City Council

In the attached picture are the following Boys State Citizens:

Left to right: Eric Eternod (WHS), Blake Heyer (WHS), Christopher Gouin (TKA), Porter Enloe (TKA), Griffen Hedrick (RRHS), Neil Pauquette (RRHS), Russell Smith (RRHS), Graham Smith (RRHS), and James Shaw (EHS) not available for this picture.
For more info on The American Legion’s Boys State program go to www.legion.org and look for the bar at the top of the website and click on Programs look for the Family and Youth pull down menu, scroll down and click on Boys State/Boys Nation link.