Girls and Boys State Participants Attend American Legion Meeting

The following information was submitted by Adjutant Anthony Centore.

The October meeting of the American Legion Post 110 Medfield held in conjunction with the American Legion Auxiliary hosted 12 high school students who attended Boys or Girls State 2014 in June at Stonehill College. This year the Post sponsored 19 young men and women who had just completed their junior year at Medfield High School. Shown in the photo are from left to right: Michelle Doucette Auxiliary President, Emma Haskell, Kyle Erickson, Alexander Ahmadi, Elise Johnson, David Baler, Tara Beckwith, Robert Passas, Jillian Craig, Andrew Letai, Ethan Murby, John Fedak, Michael Colivas and Boys State Chairman Karl Schwartz. The assembled group of Legion and Auxilary members; Representative Shawn Dooley; Representative Denise Garlick; Selectmen Mark Fisher, Richard DeSorgher and Pete Peterson; Superintendent Dr. Jeff Marsden; Principal Robert Parga and students’ families were treated to a delicious dinner prepared by Post Manager Al Manganello.

These young students each spoke relating their experiences while at Boys or Girls 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 people 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. Some of the Boys State Citizens had a chance to participate in a meaningful way by sending a well written letter to the Massachusetts Legislature urging the veto of a bill that would exempt cell tower developers from local zoning and building requirements. The bill was defeated. The parents of these students were invited to attend the meeting to listen to their children’s talks.

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

Special thanks go to the Medfield Lions Club and the Sons of the Legion for their financial support.

To become a part of this active veterans organization please contact Adjutant Tony Centore (508-359-4060) acentore@verizon.net or Michelle Doucette (508-359-2290 mldouc@gmail.com). Meetings are held at the Post on the fourth Tuesday of the month from September to June. The Post also serves up some of the best food at lunch. Drop by for the food and enjoy our new outdoor horse shoe pits.