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Nine area students will be participating in this year’s Alabama Boys State.

Students from across the state are chosen based on their demonstration of leadership, hard work, strong morals and motivation in school and community activities. Boys State week is a full and active week held on the campus of Troy University from Sunday May 29 thru graduation on Saturday June 4.

The area students attending are Christian L. Crook, Aaron T. Huggins and Charles T. McGill, Escambia Academy; Hasten Dean, Anthony McCants and Carmelo Turner, Escambia County High School; Bryson Patterson and Christopher Spann, Flomaton High School; and Abbie Helton, Flomaton United Methodist Church.

At Boys State, student delegates will find the opportunity to build new friendships, participate in a mock government and hear from and meet a diverse array of Alabama leaders such as Congressmen, state elected officials, business leaders, civic leaders and others, American Legion Post No. 90 Adjutant Paul Chason said.

Delegates will have the opportunity to join interest groups that focus on their individual areas of interest such as law school, fire college, law enforcement academy, aerospace academy, lobbyists, city government, county government, constitutional convention, engineer/computer academy and environmental interest group. Delegates will also have activity time during which they can participate in recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, academic bowl, etc.

The American Legion believes there is no better way to assure the survival of our republic than to train our young people in the ideals and objectives of American government, Chason said in a release.

By teaching youth to understand and appreciate the basic principles involved in the successful management of a democratic society, we can keep America strong and ensure freedom for future generations, he said.

The American Legion program is at Troy University this year.

Billy Glenn Rushing Post 90 of Atmore has provided scholarships for six students in the area to attend Alabama Boys State each year.

With the tremendous support of our partners, we offered 11 scholarships this year – an 83% increase from previous years, Chason said.

Unfortunately, only eight boys are able to attend. This year we also offered an “at-large” scholarship for a Girls State candidate. Our total scholarships submitted to Department of Alabama for this year’s programs are nine. We are also able to provide a $25 gas card for each family this year, another opportunity thanks to our partners, Chason said.