10 Hillsborough boys attending 68th annual Boys State conference
Rising high school seniors are participating this week, June 16-21, at the 68th session of American Legion Jersey Boys State at Rider University in Lawrenceville.
The program, sponsored by the American Legion, teaches civics and government, including party politics, at the local, county and state level.
”This week will shape the future for 967 young leaders at Jersey Boys State,” said David Bagatelle, director. “Just ask Governor Chris Christie, Senator Robert Menendez or Mayor Cory Booker, all of whom attended this program when they were in high school.”
Statesmen will govern and interact with other top-of-the-class peers from across New Jersey as they run their own mythical 51st state of the union. Within 24 hours, each city will divide into political parties, elect a mayor and council from within their ranks.
By the end of the session, statesmen will have filled the ranks of local, county, state governments, municipal courts and will elect two senators to serve at American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., later this summer.
Throughout the week-long program, statesmen will:
• Hear from notable speakers, including U.S. Senate candidate and Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Congressman Leonard Lance and state Assemblyman Herbert Conaway Jr.
• Participate in a college fair featuring top national universities;
• Attend leadership seminars and training by Marine Corps and New Jersey State Police;
• Elect the 68th Boys State governor; and
• Elect two Boys Nation Senators who will represent New Jersey at the annual American Legion Jersey Boys Nation program in Washington, D.C., from July 19-26.
Hillsborough boys are sponsored by Legion Post No. 12, They are: Matthew Ackerman, Thomas Cahill, Andrew Cavalieri, Arvind Chandaka, Carter Post, Zachariah Jordan, Tayjus Surampudi, Ryan Kenny, Thomas Klein and Joseph Spence.
Joseph Green of Manville is sponsored by Legion Post 304.
Belle Mead statesmen are also sponsored by Legion Post 12. They are Alexander Chen, Robert Johnson, Adam Kornberg, Zachary Mayer, Virag Mody, Gregory Tarca and William Wang.
From Skillman, also sponsored by Post 12, are Marco Fratarcangeli, Tyler Sudol, William Minor and Nicholas Youmans. Dmitriy Ruckodanov of Princeton is also sponsored by Legion Post 12.
All expenses are typically donated by a sponsoring American Legion post, a local business or a community-based organization. To learn more, visit aljbs.org.

