Local students attend Boys State
Published 2:06 pm Friday, June 21, 2013
Four rising high school seniors from Marengo County recently attend the 76th American Legion Boys State.
Jordan Williams from Demopolis High, James Creel from Marengo Academy, Tate Gibbs from Sweet Water High School and Joseph Sammons from Marengo Academy were among the 600 delegates from across the state.
Williams participated in the City Interest Group and helped develop a plan for the recruitment of an economic development project for his city. He is the son of Evelyn Williams.
Creel worked with the Constitutional Convention Interest Group, studying legal concepts and applying them by helping to draft a new state constitution. His parents are Randy and Penny Creel.
Gibbs was part of the Environment Interest Group and learned by threats to natural resources and worked on developing strategies to protect the environment. His parents are Chris Gibbs and Jennifer Walker.
Sammons was a member of the Board of Education Interest Group and focused on policies to address problems facing Alabama’s public education system. His parents are Daryl and Wendy Sammons.
Alabama Boys State is a leadership program for young men who have completed their junior year of high school and are expected to be campus leaders during their senior year. It provides delegates with a working knowledge of how our government function on the city, county and state levels. Acceptance into Alabama Boys State is a privilege and granted by invitation only. School faculty and community leaders select delegates.
Throughout its history, Boys State and Girls State programs have shaped some of American’s most remarkable leaders, from Presidents to astronaut, world famous athletes to internationally recognized journalist, entrepreneurs and military leaders.
In Alabama, almost 600 young men are handpicked each year to attend this summer leadership and citizenship experience.
Alabama Boys State is sponsored by the American Legion and is directed by retired Judge Pete Johnson of Birmingham. The assistant directors are Judge Joel Laird of Anniston and Ted Copeland of Carrollton.
