The New Hampshire American Legion will hold its 71st annual Boys State program from June 24-29. Boys State is a six-day “learn-by-doing” experience in the American way of government. One hundred and fifty public and private high schools throughout the state are invited to select qualified students to participate in the program. Home school students of “junior equivalence” are also eligible to apply. The delegates to Boys State will convene at Rivier University in Nashua to apply the principles of democracy in the mythical fifty-first state – Boys State.

Boys State is an opportunity made available to high school juniors annually by the American Legion. When the students arrive on campus for registration, they are assigned to a city or to a town, to the House of Representatives or to the Senate, to an Executive Council District, and to a mythical political party. During the week, the students establish their mock city, town and state governments through caucuses and debates, develop party platforms, elect candidates for primary and general elections, and debate legislation. The program provides students with a practical application of democracy, encourages leadership both in their schools and in their communities, and emphasizes the importance of being responsible citizens and making their votes count.

In addition, the students have the opportunity to spend six days on a college campus, meet other students from throughout the state, compete for scholarships, and earn three college credits for successful completion of the program.

More information and applications are available from high school guidance counselors or from John Graham, email post54_nh@hotmail.com or call 472-4637. More information, to include applications, is available on the N.H. American Legion Boys State website at www.nhboysstate.org. Application deadline is June 7.