Local teens rep Madison at Boys State, Girls State
With city officials, delegates to 2024 Boys State were Vachan Kurki, from left; Jacob Sigler; Mason Puhalovic; Larry Vannoy, Commander of Madison American Legion, Post 229; Thomas Sigler; Mayor Paul Finley; Simon Adkins; Nicholas Jensen; Ian McIntosh; Matthew Lipski; and Ranae Bartlett, President of Madison City Council. CONTRIBUTED
With city officials, delegates to 2024 Girls State were Michele Kinney, from left, President of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 229; Millie Hoksbergen; Aurora Lang; Xin Lin; Kylie Gero; Ranae Bartlett, President of Madison City Council; Karen Denzine, Madison City Council and Unit 229, Girls State Coordinator; and Mayor Paul Finley. CONTRIBUTED
The 2024 sessions of Alabama Boys State and Girls State convened in June on the campus of Troy University.
At a recent meeting of Madison City Council, American Legion, Post 229 and Auxiliary Unit 229 presented the 2024 delegates from Madison City Schools to the council and Mayor Paul Finley.
Delegates to Boys State were Simon Adkins, Nicholas Jensen, Vachan Kurki, Matthew Lipski, Ian McIntosh, Mason Puhalovic, Jacob Sigler and Thomas Sigler.
Delegates to Girls State were Millie Hoksbergen, Aurora Lang, Xin Lin and Kylie Gero.
These summer programs focus on leadership and citizenship for high school juniors, immersing them in all levels of government — local, county and state-wide government. The state convention offers young men and women a one-of-a-kind experience, engaged in governmental protocol, according to Jean Downs, Vice Commander of Madison American Legion, Post 229.
The delegates representing James Clemens and Bob Jones high schools were selected among their peers and demonstrated an interest in government and current events, high moral character, strong leadership ability and above-average scholastic standing.
Started in 1937, programs for both Boys State and Girls State are held annually. The delegates’ experience starts with an assignment to a fictional political party. Then, students are divided into subgroups of fictional cities or towns.
Delegates meet as political parties and craft their own unique party platforms from scratch, Downs said. The citizens of each city elect mock municipal officials, county officials and representatives to the mock state legislature.
Participants also elect a governor, lieutenant governor and other state-level officials mirroring the State of Alabama. The legislature meets to elect leaders and draft and pass bills, which resembles actual operation of the state legislature.
Throughout the week, delegates hear from guest speakers, learn about Americanism, participate in debates and hold campaign rallies. As delegates are elected to their offices, they assume those roles for the remainder of the week, which concludes with the election of a governor.
“Selection as a delegate from Bob Jones and James Clemens is an honor. For the girls, particularly, it is highly competitive, as only two girls from each junior class can be selected each year,” Downs said.
“This year’s class of delegates from Madison City Schools was once again an outstanding group of young men and women,” Downs said. “We were proud to have them represent our city.”
Legionnaires will send 2025 applications for Boys and Girls State delegations to junior class counselors at Bob Jones and James Clements in February 2025. The University of Alabama will host the 2025 convention.
