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Boys State delegates announced
Seven local high school students earned opportunities to see first-hand how local, state and federal governments function during an upcoming mock government exercise.
Students selected for the 2013 American Legion Boys State include six from Mountain Home High School and one representing Richard McKenna Charter High School.
Scheduled to run from June 9 to 14 at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, the Boys State event serves as a premier program that teaches high school students how government works, according to a statement from the American Legion.
These government-focused exercises also help these students develop leadership and public speaking skills and gain a better appreciation for civil rights.
These annual events are among "the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students," an American Legion spokesman said.
During these weeklong workshops, participants can run for political office, create and enforce laws and actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government.
Those selected to attend the American Legion Boys State conference include the following teens:
* Matthew McLean. The son of Cara and Harvey McLean, the Eagle Scout remains active in the high school debate and tennis teams. After graduation, he plans on attending a state university majoring in pre-medicine. He then plans to go to medical school, specializing in gastroenterology.
* Andrew Crighton. The son of Arrie and Robert Crighton, the teen remains active in the high school speech and debate team. He's also an active member of Calvary Chapel of Mountain Home. After graduation, he plans on attending Idaho State University or Northwest Nazarene University to study nursing.
* Timothy Menhart. The son of Robin and William Menhart, the teen remains an active member of the high school marching band and the school's speech and debate team. After high school he plans to attend the College of Idaho, majoring in political economy with a minor in philosophy. He plans on continuing to participate in debate while attending college.
* Jake Schaefer. The son of John and Jana Schaefer, he's a member of the high schools cross country and indoor track teams in addition to his participation in the school's mock trial program and speech and debate team. He plans on attending the College of Idaho to study physics. He hopes to use that degree to help advance the world through changing the medical field to reduce people's suffering.
* Maxwell Snoey. The son of James and Heather Snoey, the Richard McKenna Charter High School student remains an active volunteer in the Mountain Home community, helping at the Grace Lutheran Food Bank, the library in addition to highway clean-ups. After graduation, he plans on studying graphic arts, possibly at the Art Institute.
* Dokota Buchholz. The son of Michelle and Kevin Buchholz, he remains an active member of the high school's speech and debate team. After graduation, he plans on attending the University of Connecticut, majoring in education of gifted and talented children.
* Kristofer Packer. The son of James and Krista Packer, he's part of the high school marching band and speech and debate teams. He plans on going to college, majoring in finance and marketing as well as literature. He would like to eventually own his own book store and also write books. Afterward, he would like to become a college professor.
The American Legion held its first Boys State program in 1935 with the American Legion Auxiliary hosting its initial Girls State program in 1937.
Noted Boys State and Girls State alumni include astronaut Neil Armstrong, former New York Governor George Pataki, former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, former President Bill Clinton, television commentators Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley, basketball superstar Michael Jordan, actor Mark Wahlberg and radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.