Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Six picked for Buckeye Boys/Girls State

Six New Richmond High School juniors who exemplify character, integrity, leadership and scholarship have been selected to attend the 2015 American Legion’s Buckeye Boys and Buckeye Girls State conventions the week of June 14.

Nick Kirby, Chase Heflin, Evan Grippa and Carter Light will be attending Buckeye Boys State at Bowling Green State University.

Lindsey Williams and Ella Lindsley will attend Buckeye Girls State at the University of Mt. Union in Alliance, Ohio.

New Richmond High School juniors (from left) Nick Kirby, Chase Heflin, Evan Grippa and Carter Light will attend Buckeye Boys State June 14-21 at Bowling Green State University.
New Richmond High School juniors (from left) Lindsey Williams and Ella Lindsley will attend Buckeye Girls State June 14-20 at the University of Mt. Union.

“The six students selected to attend Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State from New Richmond High School exemplify the definitions of ‘Character’, ‘Integrity’, ‘Leadership’, and ‘Scholarship,’ “ said New Richmond High School principal Mark Bailey. “I am exceedingly proud of these students and know they will represent our school and community well.  I would like to thank Ralph Shepherd from American Legion John Farina Post 550 for making this opportunity possible for our students.”

American Legion Buckeye Boys State is an eight-day hands-on experience in the operation of the democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Ohio government. 

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.

Founded in 1936, Buckeye Boys State is the largest Boys State program in the nation with an attendance of over 1,200 young men annually, representing nearly 600 Ohio High Schools, several on-line High Schools, and the Home Schooled Community.

Distinguished alumni of Buckeye Boys State include astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, and fellow astronauts Terence Henricks, Carl Walz, Michael Gernhardt and Gregory Johnson. Other alumni include Thomas Moyer, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, and U.S. Congressmen Michael Oxley and Paul Gilmore.

Buckeye Girls State is a week-long program designed to educate Ohio's young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship. By getting involved in the process, Delegates can learn more about City, County and State Government in one week than they will learn in an entire semester of high school



Buckeye Girls State alumni include former Texas Governor Ann Richards, Former Miss USA Terri Utley, newscaster Jane Pauley, country music performer Janie Fricke, television personality Leeza Gibbons, Brigadier General Sharla Cook and U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.