Girls and Boys State Participants Attend American Legion Meeting

The October meeting of the American Legion Post 110 Medfield held in conjunction with the American Legion Auxiliary hosted 11 high school students who attended Boys or Girls State 2016 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. Girls shown in the photo are from right to left are Elizabeth Keleher, Grace Rankin, Katie Zona and Megan Keith. On the right is Michelle Doucette Auxiliary President. Boys shown in the photo are left to right Nolan Melia, Tom Cadman, Liam Durham, Ryan Shiels, Cam Young, Liam Dewey, and John McCormack and on the left is Boys State Chairman Karl Schwartz. The assembled group of Legion 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. The parents of these students were invited to attend the meeting to listen to their children’s talks.

Especially noteworthy was the fact that Liam Dewey was elected by his peers to be one of two boys out of over 300 at Boys State to the office of Senator and to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Liam representing the State of Massachusetts was the first boy from Medfield in the past 20 years to earn that honor. While there Liam participated in a mock Senate Session and visited Arlington National Cemetery where members of Boys Nation placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Liam was elected as the Federalist Party Chairman and his candidate won the Office of President of Boys Nation.

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, MEMO, 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.