Brewster High School Student Earned Desk At American Legion Boys State

BREWSTER, NY — A group of Brewster seniors are building a foundation for leadership, and we will all benefit from their experience.

From the Brewster Central School District.

What do Neil Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Bruce Springsteen and Brewster High School Senior Jacob Stone all have in common? They participated in American Legion Boys State, which is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students.

The program is for rising juniors one week each summer and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands and recreational programs.

"It was really rigorous," explained Stone, "since I was nominated through Brewster High School National Junior ROTC, I became a platoon chief for the week, I was also our city attorney and I played saxophone in the band. I woke up at 5:00 every morning for drills, went to legislative sessions and court proceedings all day, played in the band all week and wasn’t in bed until 11:30 at night."

The program, which was held at SUNY Morrisville was jam-packed with visits from elected local and state officials, veterans, and law enforcement.

The group even forwarded bills they had voted on to the NY state legislature. "We passed a law on the environment and lowering the drinking age to 18," explained Stone.

"I am so grateful to the American Legion and to BHS NJROTC for this experience," said Stone, "being on a college campus gave me a feel for what it’s like at college, it helped me build relationships–I got to meet kids from all over New York; and I am taking on new leadership roles at the high school."

This press release was produced by the Brewster Central School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.