MARE Sponsors Four for 2021 Missouri Boys State
MARE SPONSORS STUDENTS TO ATTEND 81st SESSION OF MISSOURI BOYS STATE
(WARRENSBURG, MO) – Jacob King from Dadeville High School, Michael Schultz from Hollister High School, Ty Shetley from Sullivan High School, and Cale Tennis from Miller High School - all sponsored by the Missouri Association of Rural Education - were among 504 outstanding Missouri students to participate in the 81st session of The American Legion Boys State of Missouri. The program was held June 12-19 on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
Missouri Boys State is designed to educate and train young leaders in leadership, citizenship, 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.
King, Schultz, Shetley, and Tennis were nominated by their high schools to attend this once in a lifetime experience based on their excellence in leadership, citizenship, academics and character. As a sponsor, the Missouri Association of Rural Education afforded these four students the opportunity to participate in A Week to Shape a Lifetime - Missouri Boys State by funding the program fee.
King (son of Julie and Josh King) has earned an Academic Letter, was named to the Honor Roll, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He participates in the A+ Program, serves as a class officer, and is a member of Future Farmers of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. King also participates in baseball and basketball and is a Scholar Athlete. During the week of Boys State, King was a Citizen of Kohn City and a Member of the Nationalist Party. He attended the Law School where he passed the Boys State bar exam and became an Attorney. He was a Supreme Court nominee, elected to the City Council from Ward II, and a citizen of Benton County that earned the Model County Award.
Schultz (son of Stan and Kathy Schultz) has earned an Academic Letter, was named to the Honor Roll, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He serves as a class officer and as a member of the Student Council and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. Schultz was selected and participated in the Missouri Leadership Seminar. He also participates in basketball, football, and golf and is employed. At Missouri Boys State, Schultz was a Citizen of Pershing City and a Member of the Federalist Party. He attended Law School and passed the Boys State bar exam which led him to become an Attorney and run for the state office of Attorney General. He was elected to the City Council and served as the County Committee Vice-Chairman and as a Delegate to County Committee from Ward I. He also was on the ballot for Municipal Judge, County Party Vice chairman, Presiding County Commissioner, and Senator.
Shetley (son of Dana and Dave Shetley) was named to the Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. He serves as a class officer and on the Student Council. He studies Spanish and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He participates in football and wrestling. At Missouri Boys State, Shetley was a Citizen of Carnahan City and a Member of the Federalist Party. He attended the Commerce School and developed and operated two businesses. He not only ran his businesses but employed other citizens. Additionally, Shetley devoted time to stimulate commerce in Carnahan City and help other businesses in Bradley County. He was also elected and served as a County Comissioner.
Tennis (son of Leah and Allen Tennis) participates in the A+ program and Gifted Programs and is a member of the National Honor Society. He serves as a class officer and is a member of the Future Farmer of America and Future Business Leaders of America. He studies Spanish, is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and participates in his Church youth group and FBC Youth Ministry. Tennis was selected and participated in the Missouri Scholars Academy. Additionally, he participates in basketball, football, and track and is employed. At Missouri Boys State, Tennis was a Citizen of Kohn City and a Member of the Federalist Party. He attended the Legislative and Executive Policy School. He was elected and served as a senator, wrote and introduced at least four pieces of legislation and was also the Senate Majority Whip. For his exceptiomal performance during the week, he was named the Outstanding Senator. Further, he served as a Delegate to the County Committee from Ward I, was a citizen of Benton County that earned the Model County Award, and was on the ballot for Associate Circuit Court Judge. Tennis was 1 of 19 students nominated and interviewed for Boys Nation – one of the top honors at Boys State.
While actively involved in school and community activities, all four students hold a 3.87 to 4.0 GPA, demonstrating their leadership and academic skills.
During Boys State and along with all citizens, King, Schultz, Shetley, and Tennis 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 2021 session included: Jack Danforth - former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former United States Senator; Tishaura Jones - St. Louis Mayor; Howard Richards - former NFL player, CIA security staff, and Mizzou Tigers radio football analyst; Julian Castro - United States Presidential Candidate in 2020, the 16th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama, and former Mayor of San Antonio, Texas; Jay Ashcroft - Missouri Secretary of State; Mike Parson - Missouri Governor; and Herb Kohn - Senior Counsel at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Law Firm in Kansas City, former MBS Director and Dean of Counselors, and current Trustee – MBS Memorial Trust. MBS citizens also witnessed a live court case heard by the Missouri Court of Appeals – Western District of Missouri.
The Boys State staff is comprised of educational, legal, professional, and civic leaders who volunteer their time each year.
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.
Missouri Boys State is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a Missouri American Legion program. Organizations, businesses, and individuals interested in learning more about the program, becoming a sponsor, or making a donation are encouraged to contact the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at 660.429.2761.
Students who will be juniors during the 2021-2022 academic year and are interested in participating should contact their High School counselor and visit the Missouri Boys State website at www.moboysstate.org. The 2022 session will be held June 11-18. Informational presentations by a Boys State staff member may be requested by contacting Bettie Rusher at the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at 660.429.2761 or email bettie.rusher@moboysstate.org.
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