The Wiley B. Murray Post No. 27 will be the sponsor of a local student of San Saba High School for the upcoming “Boys State” program this summer. John Ham, currently a junior, has been selected to attend the program, which will be held in Austin from June 11th – June 16th.
Ham is active with Boy Scouts, golf, band, cross country, and football. He participates in Academic UIL and recently qualified for State in “Number Sense.” He is currently on track to earn the Eagle Scout rank. Ham’s ultimate goal is to attend the United States Air Force Academy.
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each student becomes a part of the operation of his local, county, and state government.
Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935, when it organized to counter the fascist-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities, of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical, with city, county, and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices.
The program embraces a “learn by doing” approach in the teaching of government and political processes. By teaching students how to do government and the importance of the democratic process, students learn the importance of being an active participant in society early on. The “learn by doing” approach is effective, and most Boys State graduates report that their experience in the program prepared them well for government and political classes in their senior year of high school and beyond.