Boys State August 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FOR MORE INFORMATION: |
August 2015 | Contact: MBS Headquarters |
1-877-342-5627 |
MARE SPONSORS STUDENTS TO ATTEND 76th SESSION OF MISSOURI BOYS STATE
(WARRENSBURG, MO) – Landon Michael Craft from Twin Rivers High School and Matthew Christian Walton from Wellsville High School, both sponsored by the Missouri Association of Rural Education, were among 983 outstanding Missouri students to participate in the 76th session of The American Legion Boys State of Missouri program held June 13-20 on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
Missouri Boys State is designed to educate and train young leaders in functional citizenship, leadership, and government. The student leaders, “citizens”, combine their knowledge and skills to build an entire operational state government in a single week which includes electing city, county, and state officials. Boys State is a pure democracy in that all citizens may vote and are eligible to hold office. Participants fully engage in activities during the eight-day program as they gain an understanding of government, learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and enhance their leadership and citizenship skills.
Craft and Walton were nominated to attend this once in a lifetime experience by their high schools and selected based on their academics, leadership, citizenship, and character. As a sponsor, the Missouri Association of Rural Education afforded Craft and Walton the opportunity to participate in A Week to Shape a Lifetime - Missouri Boys State by funding the program fee.
Craft (son of Jeffrey and Sydney Craft) participates in the A+ Program; is a member of the Band; Baseball and Basketball teams; Beta Club; Drama Club; Family Career & Community Leaders of America; Foreign Language - Spanish; Forensics Club; and Robotics Club. He is on the Honor Roll. Craft is an Eagle Scout and is active in his Church Youth Group. He is also employed. During the week of Boys State, Craft was a Citizen of Ingle City and a Member of the Federalist Party. He attended the Journalism School and devoted his time as a reporter for the daily newspaper, The Record, developing and uncovering stories and writing articles. Craft had articles published in the Wednesday, June 17, 2015; Thursday, June 18, 2015; and Friday, June 19, 2015 editions of the newspaper.
MARE SPONSORS STUDENTS TO ATTEND 76th SESSION OF MISSOURI BOYS STATE
Walton (son of Barb and Scott Walton) participates in the A+ Program; is a member of the Cross Country and Track teams; 4-H Club; Future Farmers of America; Future Business Leaders of America; and Foreign Language - German. He is on the Honor Roll. Walton is active in his Church Youth Group and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also employed. At Missouri Boys State, Walton was a City of Alcorn City and a Member of the Federalist Party. He was elected by the citizens of Alcorn City and actively served as a member of the City Council. He attended the Public Administration School where he learned the basics of city government and the role of a City Council member.
During Boys State and along with all participants, Craft and Walton were involved in a wide variety of educational and recreational activities and heard inspirational talks from and asked questions of both state and national leaders. Speakers for the 2015 session included: Karl Rove (Former Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush); Lt. General Martin R. Steele (retired USMC); Warner Baxter (Chairman, President, and CEO of St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation); Missouri Governor Jay Nixon; Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway; and Eric Greitens (White House Fellow, Rhodes Scholar, Navy SEAL Commander, and Former Missouri Boys State Citizen).
The entire Boys State staff is comprised of educational, legal, professional, and civic leaders who volunteer their time each year. Missouri Boys State is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a Missouri American Legion program. Students have the opportunity to participate in this nationally recognized program due to sponsors, like MARE. Sponsors are critical to the continued success of the program since students and their families are not allowed to pay any portion of the program fee. Organizations, businesses, and individuals interested in becoming a sponsor are encouraged to contact the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at 1-877-342-5627.
Students who will be juniors during the 2015-16 academic year and are interested in participating should contact their High School counselor or visit the Missouri Boys State website at www.moboysstate.org. The 2016 session will be held June 18-25. Informational presentations by a Boys State staff member may be requested by contacting the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at 1-877-342-5627 or email bettie.rusher@moboysstate.org.