Moon Seniors Chosen to Attend Keystone Boys, Girls State

Two Moon Area High School students were chosen to attend the American Legion-sponsored Keystone State Summer Program, a week-long summer program that gives an up close view of the role of government through hands-on participation and personal experience.

Brent Matey, 17, of Crescent and Mia Castelveter, 17, of Moon, attended the Keystone Boys State and Keystone Girls State, respectively, from June 23 through June 29 at Shippensburg University.

The two, who are both entering their senior year, joined more than 200 students from across the state. 

At camp, Matey said he and other students took part in mock roles as elected officials, simulating the democratic process of city, county and state government.

“We passed bills and city ordinances,” Matey said. “It was all fictitious.”

The American Legion program is one of the longest-running and most respected civic education programs for high school students in the country. Participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, duties and the responsibilities. Activities include government elections, legislative sessions, court proceedings and law enforcement presentations.

Students also visited their representatives in Harrisburg.

On a field trip to the State Capitol, Matey said he and other students were able to take tours and sit in on Senate meetings.

“We just walked around and went into legislators’ offices to meet with them personally or watch them,” Matey said.

Matey met with his state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Ambridge, who covers Crescent as part of his district in Allegheny and Beaver counties. Matey also met with state Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Moon, and Sen. Elder Vogel, R-New Sewickley.

Castelveter said she met with her state representative Mustio, as well.

“That’s all I met personally, but I was with a few other girls so we did the whole buddy system and went to each other’s representatives. But I did meet with Representative Mustio, which was a great experience,” she said.

For Boys and Girls State, one of the requirements of students chosen was that they demonstrate leadership, character, loyalty and service to their school and community.

Castelveter, whose father is in the Army, said her goal is to study political science at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 

She said the camp was recommended as something the academy looks highly upon so she applied and was accepted. She eventually plans to enter the Army to do military intelligence.

Matey, who is leaning toward studying civil or mechanical engineering in college, said he wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about politics previously, but after reading about the program, he thought it seemed interesting and sent in his application.

Matey said he was glad to have the experience.

“It was eye opening,” Matey said. 

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