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Luncheon honors Boys and Girls State students |
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Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
 Owens Valley teens pose together at a luncheon honoring their selection for the American Legion’s “Boys and “Girls State Citizen” government education program. The students will take part in a week-long “mock-government” conference in June. Photo by Ken Koerner By Ken Koerner
Register Staff 4-15-2008
Dedicated to good citizenship and future service to their community, a half-dozen Owens Valley high school students took an important step in that direction during a special event in Big Pine on Sunday.
The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary have long sponsored sending a select group of young men and women from across the state to spend a week “running the government of the Golden State.”
Big Pine’s American Legion Auxiliary – District 27, hosted the luncheon and orientation on behalf of the high school juniors from Bridgeport to Ridgecrest who have been named as Boys and Girls State Citizens by their respective American Legion posts.
“Boys and Girls State,” according to the American Legion, “is a leadership action program” where qualified male and female high school juniors take part in a practical government course “designed to develop in the young citizens a working knowledge of the structure of government and to impress upon them the fact that government is just what they make it.”
The luncheon, featuring iconic local educator Jill Kinmont Boothe as the guest of honor, was attended by many of the chosen teens, some selected “alternates,” parents, Legionaires and both of the Inyo Superior Court’s sitting judges.
Presiding Judge Dean Stout and Judge Brian Lamb offered personal remarks to the young people being honored, before jointly handing out their award certificates.
“We celebrate your accomplishment in being here this morning and know that each of you is rightfully honored by your selection,” Judge Stout said, “This is a tribute to each student and their family to be given this tremendous opportunity to learn about our system of government and to enhance your future opportunity to contribute to your community.”
Judge Lamb spoke in support of the “mock government” educational aspect the 71-year old American Legion program provides to the selected students.
“Participation in elections and campaigns is an important part of government. Campaigns are about taking a role in communication with your community,” Lamb said, “and in deciding on the people and the policies that take us from where we are to where we want to be.”
Following the luncheon ceremonies, American Legion Boy’s State Chairman Bernard LaRue and Girls State Chairwoman Delores Ryan took their respective teens and parents into an orientation session to help answer essential questions about what to expect and when to expect it.
On the local front, Big Pine High School junior Chance Colvin was the “Boys Stater” and junior Kendall Young was named as Big Pine’s “Girl Stater.” Bishop Union High School boys Drew Blumberg and Nelson Kegan (not present) were selected, as was Alternate Paul Gonzalez. Carla Eckland was the top female selected from among the Bishop High juniors. Lone Pine High’s honoree, Craig Bunn, was unable to attend.
Other American Legion, District 27 high school juniors being honored included Burroughs High School’s Josie Olsen, who made the long drive from Ridgecrest accompanied by her mother. Boron High School’s Laynah Rose Crandall/Fealy was also on hand with her mom.
Boys State delegates that were unable to be present for the luncheon and orientation include Burroughs High’s Brian Lee and Thomas Scott Nguyen from Ridgecrest; and Cameron Morris, Chris Newby and Andrew Hall of Desert High in North Edwards.
On the Girls side, Desert High junior Lindsey Lewis of North Edwards; and Pauline Anahy Zamarripa of Eastern Sierra Academy in Bridgeport were also unable to attend the event.
The 71st Anniversary Boys’ State Session will run from June 21-28 on the California State University, Sacramento campus. The 2008 Girls’ State Session is scheduled from June 22-28 on the campus of Pitzer College in Clairmont.
The event on Sunday was made possible thanks to the members of Big Pine’s American Legion Post, including District 27 Boys’ State Chairman Ray White, District 27 Girls’ State Chairwoman Frances Fortney and District 27 President Danielle White.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 June 2008 )
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