Today, they’re high school students, but tomorrow they could be our governors, senators or maybe even President of the United States.
A group of Oxford High School students have been selected to participate in three summer programs designed to educate them about public service, promote good citizenship and prepare them to someday take the reins of government.
Juniors Beth Hubbard, Christina Paquin, Emily Shoup, Sabina Grusnick and Kira Wolf (alternate) were chosen to attend the 63rd session of the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, to be held June 20-27 on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.
The girls will join about 500 other young ladies from around the state.
Juniors Darren Johnston, Rob Cerato, Andy Forte and German Guerrero were selected to attend the 67th session of the Michigan American Legion Boys State, to be held June 20-26 on the MSU campus.
The boys will join about 750 other young men from around the state.
Both Boys State and Girls State operate as real-life simulations in which participants serve as public officials in mock city, county and state governments of their own creation.
Students learn the duties and functions, as well as the powers and limitations, of various public offices in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.
During the week-long programs, pariticipants engage in a variety of activities including campaigning for office, voting for candidates, enacting laws, formulating public policy, participating in conventions for mythical political parties, learning parliamentary procedure, problem-solving and practicing the art of compromise.
The programs are designed to emphasize the importance of government in modern life; educate young people in the duties, rights, privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship; and awaken a sincere conviction that a well-informed, intelligent, participating citizenry is vitally needed to protect and serve our representative system of government.
The $290 per student cost for Girls State was paid for by Oxford Women’s Club, AMVETS Post 108, Rotary Club of Oxford and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108.
The $280 per student cost for Boys State was covered by American Legion Post 108, AMVETS Post 108 and the Rotary Club of Oxford.
In addition to politics and government, two OHS students will learn about law enforcement by undergoing realisitc officer training.
Juniors Danielle M.L. Flores and Joshua Strong are slated to participate in the 36th annual American Legion Student Trooper Program, to be held Aug. 1-6 at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing.
Patterned after the regular state police recuit training program, the one-week Student Trooper session is designed to duplicate a ‘Boot Camp? atmosphere with intensive instruction and organized recreation intended to educate participants about law enforcement and foster the spirit of teamwork.
Student Trooper activities and training includes: law enforcement career opportunities, human relations, firearms safety and marksmanship fundamentals, traffic law, crime lab and forensic science, canine program, water safety, aviation unit, first aid, crash investigation, class photo, defensive tactics, emergency support team, patrol tactics, military drill, criminal law, conservation law, narcotics enforcement and underwater recovery.
The $300 per student cost for Student Trooper is paid for by American Legion Post 108 and AMVETS Post 108.
After they attend their programs, the Boys State and Girls State participants along with the Student Troopers will report their experiences and what they learned to the various sponsor groups.
‘These are all exceptional students,? said Helen Smith, local chair of Boys State, Girls State and Student Trooper. ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about leadership and how government runs. It gives them an appreciation for our democratic government and an understanding of why it takes so long to get things done.?