Buckeye Boys State grads honored

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WILMINGTON — American Legion Buckeye Boys State is an eight-day hands-on experience in Ohio government.

Its mission is “to provide an educational and leadership program that exposes young men to the rights and privileges, the duties and responsibilities, and the love for God and Country necessary to being self-governing citizens. Through a practical, objective, nonpartisan approach, participants in the American Legion Buckeye Boys State program are exposed to fundamental democratic principles in local, county and state elections and governmental functions which prepare them for leadership roles as patriotic American citizens.”

Since the Ohio American Legion’s first “Boys State” program was held in 1936 in the cattle barns of the Ohio State Fairgrounds with over 440 delegates in attendance, “Buckeye Boys State” (BBS) has been conducted annually, with the exception of 1945, when World War II restrictions forced a suspension of activities, and 1952, when a flood prohibited the use of the site (Camp Perry) at the time.

The BBS Class of 2017 was held on the campus of Miami University in Oxford with more than 1,200 delegates from more than 600 public, private and home schools in Ohio.

Wilmington Veterans Post 49 sponsored eight delegates from Wilmington High School (WHS).

Prior to their regular meeting on July 25, the Post 49 members took time to recognize the accomplishments of this year’s WHS delegates. Five of the delegates were in attendance — Brendan Crouse, Tristan Reiley, Doug Eastes, Dylan Combs and Alexander Totten — while the remaining three — Dakota Cravens, Connor O’Boyle and Zachary Wyrick — will receive their awards at a later date.

All three of the government entities experienced at BBS were represented at the program.

Evan Webb, Legislative Aide to Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger, presented a resolution and an Ohio state flag flown over the state capital in honor of each delegate.

Clinton County Commissioners Kerry Steed and Patrick Haley (Commissioner Brenda Woods’ presence was required elsewhere) presented each with a resolution, and City of Wilmington Administrator Marian Miller presented each with a proclamation issued by Mayor John Stanforth.

The presentations were preceded by comments from BBS Class of 2014 and East Clinton High School Class of 2015 graduate Tristan Walters.

In his remarks, Tristan, a member of the USAF, and junior at the University of Cincinnati, thanked Post 49 for sponsoring him and continued support of Clinton County’s youth. Walters also described his experience at BBS as something that will be with him for the rest of his life.

The Government departments of each of the county’s high schools will receive information and applications for the 2018 BBS program — to be held at Miami University June 11-18, 2018 — sometime in December, 2017.

With the Buckeye Boys State Class of 2017 and 2014 BBS grad Tristan Walters and the presenters are Post 49 Commander Greg Gray and Post 49 Program Chairman Paul Butler.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_boys-state.jpegWith the Buckeye Boys State Class of 2017 and 2014 BBS grad Tristan Walters and the presenters are Post 49 Commander Greg Gray and Post 49 Program Chairman Paul Butler. Courtesy photo

For The News Journal

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