Gem Boys State applications due soon

Are you a high school junior or have one in the family? Boys State has once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

American Legion Post 147 in Priest River is seeking high school junior males with leadership skills for an opportunity to spend an all-expense-paid week in Boise this June.

Every year, thousands of participants from every state spend a week at their state capital learning the rights, privileges and responsibilities as American citizens. Male students in public, parochial, private and home schools in the local area can get more information about Gem Boys State at legion.org/idaho/boysstate.

Post 147 members will present information at high schools, Boys Scout troops, churches and other community centers in January and February, including an informational meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 113 Larch Street in Priest River. Last year’s local Boy State delegates will be there to answer questions.

The deadline for online applications is March 1.

During early March, a group of judges from the community will meet all candidates and choose up to three delegates to attend. An alternate delegate participates if a primary delegate is not able to attend.

All costs for local delegates will be paid by Post 147, including transportation, housing and meals. Delegates from across the state will learn about the structure of city, county and State governments. Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands and recreational programs.

At the end of Gem Boys State, two Gem Boy State delegates are selected to represent Idaho at Boys Nation in Washington, DC for a week of federal-level government training in July.

The nation’s largest wartime veterans organization, the American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans care and rehabilitation, Americanism and youth programs.

For information, email IdahoLegionPost147@gmail.com.