Local Press Release
Deadline for applications is April 1 st
For more than six decades, the Massachusetts American Legion and Legion Auxiliary have sponsored Boys State and Girls State – a weeklong residence programs for students who have completed their junior year in high school.
Both were established to foster an appreciation of the American system of a constitutional republic while providing hands-on experience in the functional aspects of government.
This June, Boys State and Girls State will be held concurrently on the Stonehill College campus. The programs are open to students who exhibit leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service.
As part of the program students establish and operate their own city, town, and state governments, forming two political parties, preparing platforms and nominating candidates for state office. Students also prepare and discuss bills, which are debated and discussed before being presented to a mock Legislature for final action.
Staffers at Boys and Girls State oversee the curriculum, preside over debates, umpire sporting contests, and monitor elections.
These mentors are college and graduate students, attorneys, educators, investment advisors, accountants, economists – many of whom were former participants themselves.
Participants in both Boys and Girls State will report to the Stonehill campus on Saturday, June 13 and both programs conclude on Friday, June 19. Late arrivals due to the ACT exam are generally allowed. Other exceptions are discouraged but considered on a case-by-case basis. High school students from Foxborough interested in applying for the Boys State and Girls State programs should contact Bill Buckley at 508-543-3939 or billbuckleyjr@gmail.com or Foxborough High School College Advisor Bruce Hamilton at 508-543-1620 or hamiltonb@foxborough.k12.ma.us .
An information session will be held at the Foxborough High School Guidance Department on March 3 d at 1:30pm. Past participants will be there to answer questions.
Deadline for applications is April 1 st and the cost of attending will be underwritten by American Legion Post #93 and local benefactors that in the past have included: Representative Michael Chaisson, Barrows Insurance, Mayfair Realty, Attorneys Spillane and Spillane, Carroll Construction Corp, Douglas A. King Builders, and Bay Colony Group.