Five Cal-Mum Juniors selected for Boys State

   The Matthew Cleary Post 255 American Legion is pleased to announce the five selections for the 2005 Boys State government education program. Cal-Mum Juniors John Schweichler, Kyle Geer, Tim Ipsaro, Joel Santora and Adam Schultz will attend Boys State from June 26 – July 2, 2005 on the campus of SUNY Morrisville.

   American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government

   At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.
High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program. The Matthew Cleary Post wishes to thank the selection committee of Jake and Debbie Davis and Mel Keenan for their assistance.

Boys' State

   Boys' State is a program of The American Legion developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government; that the individual is an integral part and commensurately responsible for the character and success of his government. As such, it is an activity of high educational value, born of a need for youth training in practical citizenship. This year, The American Legion Department of New York will send over 1,100 boys to SUNY Morrisville, New York, for the week of June 26 to July 2, 2005.

   Candidates for New York Boys' State must be at least 15 years of age at the time of application, must have completed their junior year in the upper 50% of their class and intend to return to school in the fall as seniors to complete their high school education; and residents of the State of New York or who are residents of an adjoining state and who attend school in New York State and have the following qualifications: Potential leadership; ability to get along with others; mentally alert and physically clean and neat; honest; good personality; vigorous; cooperative and enthusiastic and above all a good American citizen.

   Each year, a Boys' State participant is elected Governor and thereafter is invited to attend the Department of New York's State Convention.  Also each year, two Boys' State participants will be selected to attend the National program called Boys' Nation in Washington, D.C. 

Matthew Cleary Post Auxiliary names two Girls State candidates

   Matthew Cleary Post 255 American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor two Cal-Mum Juniors at the 2005 Girls State citizenship program this summer. Emily Milgate and Heather Farone will attend the week-long conference held June 24 – 30, 2005 at the SUNY Brockport campus.

   Girls State is a non-political Americanism program enabling hands-on experiences in the democratic process. Empire Girls’ State prepares today’s young women to be knowledgeable, active participants and future leaders in our society.

   Girls’ State Citizens, divided into 11 counties named for famous women, are divided into two political parties; Nationalists and Federalists. As they develop their mythical 51st state, they live together as self-governing citizens working to solve the concerns of their counties while running political campaigns, debating, and formulating legislation. They gain an understanding of and appreciation for what democracy really means as they cooperate in order to achieve their goals.

   The Matthew Cleary Post American Legion Auxiliary wishes to thank Margaret Blair, Shannon Martin and Laura Canne for their assistance in the interviewing process.

Empire Girls' State

   From American Legion Auxiliary members' hearts - to their hands - to their service for America's youth, Empire Girls' State represents the goals and ideals for the future of our great country. It is a non-partisan Americanism program, emphasizing citizens’ duties, rights, and responsibilities in the political and governmental processes of a democratic society.

   During this very busy week, Girls' State citizens, representing their two political parties, will formulate and run political campaigns, participate in debates, write legislation about the issues of government that are important to their respective Girls’ State county constituents and their peers, and participate in mock legislative sessions of county and state levels of government. Through the guidance of the Department Americanism Chairman, the citizens will be educated in appropriate etiquette for the display, handling, and disposal of the American Flag, as they gain a new respect for this symbol of America’s greatness as a free and democratic nation.

   Girls' State citizens gain knowledge about the operations of a democracy, and they will have the opportunity to meet some of their peers from all corners of this great state of New York. Friendships formed during this one-week experience often last a lifetime and develop into a network of intelligent, professional women.

   Empire Girls' State prepares today's young women to be knowledgeable, active participants and leaders in tomorrow’s American democracy and the world. The three hundred sixty (360) High School Junior students who attend the program gain a unique knowledge of the political process and the duties of responsible citizenship. They also provide the American Legion Auxiliary with a potential source for recruitment of new members.

   The 2005 session of Empire Girls' State will be held on the campus of SUNY Brockport College from June 24-30, 2005.