Since 1935 American Legion posts throughout the United States have been educating juniors in high school about how government works at the federal, state and local level.
Westerville American Legion Post 171 has sent hundreds of boys and girls to the annual experiment in democracy, called Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State. “Post 171 sends more boys (10) and girls (12) to this program than any other American Legion post in Ohio,” remarked Bev Etling, chairperson of the program for the last seven years. The program especially appeals to Westerville students because of the enthusiasm of the teacher and advisors.
During March, Westerville juniors from Westerville North, Central and South high schools applied to attend the week long June events held at Bowling Green State University (Boys State) and Mount Union College (Girls State). The students were required to answer two essay questions as well as appear before a panel of American Legion and Auxiliary members and community members, to be interviewed about a number of government and current event questions to qualify as a delegate.
On March 3, Girls State candidates were interviewed at the American Legion Post 171, and 12 delegates and one alternate were selected: Jeshurun Adarquah (South); Diana Asta (North); Nicole Dinan (Central); Meredith Evans (South); Hope Hessler (Central); Kriston Kapan (Central); Jacqueline Kay (Central); Bailey Line (Central); Morgan McCarthy (Central); Dion Mensah (North); Alison Schmidt (North); and Maria Wisman (Central). Hana Matsumoto of North was named an Alternate.
On March 12, Boys State candidates were interviewed and posed for a group picture during the interviewing process. From left to right in the front row: Samuel Vozar (North); Joe Thompson (North); Ben Coffey (South); Jared Weist (North); Patrick Smith (South); Joseph Saperstein (South); Matt Hoffman (South); Joe Bugenstein (North); and Cameron Heller (Central). Back row, left to right: Eric Atta (South); Andrew Malick (North) Xavier Bird (Central); Hunter Wolf (North); Chris Ogle (Central); Christian Bracale (Central); Owen Jagucki (South); Jalen Frantal (Central); and Luke Hall (North).
All will be recognized by the Westerville City Schools Board of Education on Monday evening, May 4.