Millburn Short Hills American Legion Post Sponsors Millburn High School Students at N.J. Boys State

From Millburn High School:

Four Millburn High School rising seniors, Matthew Grossman, Andrew Jacobs, Dan Rosen and Tyler Watson, were selected as delegates to the American Legion’ Jersey Boys State Program held at Rider University, June 19-24. They were sponsored by the Millburn Short Hills Chapter of the American Legion, which provides their tuition, covering food, housing and other costs. Jersey Boys’ State is a mythical 51st state organized and administered for citizenship training purposes under the auspices of The American Legion, Department of New Jersey.

Jacobs, Rosen and Watson (Grossman was unable to attend) had the opportunity to govern and interact with some of the top high school juniors from across the State of New Jersey and run their own mythical 51st state. Students not only learned about, but tried to find solutions to the real life problems facing our municipalities, counties and the state as a whole.

According to the American Legion, “Boys’ State strives to educate our youth in the duties privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.”

It has been called, “A Week that Shapes A Future.”

The mission of Boys’ State is “to develop good citizens in the United States of America by inspiring the youth of N.J. to take a more active and intelligent interest in the operation of our state and nation and in the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and to understand the sacrifices made by our veterans to preserve our nation and way of life.”

During the week-long program, a newspaper was published and seminars were held on a range of topics. A college fair, attended by over 75 colleges and universities, was offered, along with outstanding speakers and intramural activities. A total of 900 delegates from around the state participated.

Bill Keenan, post commander of the Millburn-Short Hills Guy R. Bosworth American Legion Post, met the students at Millburn High Schoo and said, “The local chapter is pleased to sponsor this group of outstanding young men.”

Photo courtesy of Millburn High School