Burlington-Hampshire American Legion Post 680 members welcomed three local high school students and their families to their meeting recently at St. John’s Lutheran Church hall in Hampshire.
Burlington Central High School student Vishnoo Vivekananthan of Elgin and Hampshire High School student Lawrence T. Prinner of Hampshire both attended the 2015 Illinois Boys State this summer at Eastern Illinois University. They were sponsored by American Legion Post 680.
Pingree Grove resident Mackenna Romine, a senior at Hampshire High, attended the 2015 Illinois Girls State, which was also held at Eastern Illinois. Romine was sponsored by American Legion Post 680 Auxiliary.
“It was the best week of my summer,” said Vivekananthan. “Thank you for providing the funding so that I could go there.”
“We learned about how government functions,” said Prinner. “I learned so much, and I made many new friends.”
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While at Boys State, Prinner ran for the office of county chairman. Vivekananthan won the office of state comptroller. All three students enjoyed the experience of living on a college campus.
“Every day was so much fun,” said Romine. “I felt empowered to do something for my country and change the world for the better. I did not run for a position, but I was a judge of the elections. I still stay in contact with people I met from all over the state.”
Boys State and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs for high school students. Founded in 1935, Boys State was started by two Illinois Legionnaires and first held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The American Legion Auxiliary started Girls State for young women.
According to American Legion Post 680 Auxiliary President Connie Von Keudell, local high schools every year nominate the students who would most benefit from attending Boys State or Girls State. The programs educate students on how to run for office on the village, county, state and national levels and how to hold elections.
“We thank the schools for steering us to the right students,” Von Keudell said.
Hampshire High teacher Dennis Maher has helped to select local students for Boys State and Girls State for the past 10 years. He teaches American history and government. He has also coordinated Veterans Day activities at Hampshire High. He said he will be retiring after this year.
“Dennis Maher is the best friend we ever had,” said former American Legion Post 680 Commander Dale Dopkins.
“I am very impressed with the students who came to our meeting tonight,” said American Legion Post 680 Commander Bob Parise. “The students in schools today are our future.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.