Local students selected for Boys', Girls' State program

Several local students will join nearly 400 other high school juniors from across Nebraska at Boys' and Girls' State later this month.

The program will take place May 31-June 6 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's downtown campus.

The annual citizenship program, sponsored by the Nebraska American Legion, is designed to provide youths with a better understanding of how city, county and state governments operate. Each participant is sponsored locally by an organization such as an American Legion post, or by some other patriotic, civic, fraternal or religious group in cooperation with the local Legion post.

Students attending this month, include:

• Sam Bogert, a Potter-Dix High student sponsored by Dix American Legion Post 292

• Natalie Cruise, a Leyton High student sponsored by the Dalton American Legion Auxiliary

• Sara Gingerich, a Potter-Dix High sponsored by Potter American Legion Auxilary Unit for Potter Post 291

• Coby Hicks, a Potter-Dix High student sponsored by Potter American Legion Post 291

• Teghan Osborne, a Leyton High student sponsored by American Legion Mintken-Davison Post 301

• Justice Palmer, a Potter-Dix High student sponsored by Sidney American Legion Post 17

• Logan Uhlir, a Sidney High student sponsored by Sidney American Legion Post 17

• Diedra Waite, a Leyton High student sponsored by the Dalton American Legion Auxiliary (selected as an alternate)

American Legion Cornhusker Boys' and Girls' State is set up as a functional "51st state" and each boy and girl learns how government subdivisions operate by actually doing the job. Participants campaign for offices, hold elections take part in band and chorus, compete in athletics and be involved in other varier activities as part of the citizenship training program. They will set up their own state government and draft bills.

Special lectures and addresses will be delivered by experienced public officials and professional leaders including Gov. Pete Ricketts and Supreme Court Chief Justice John M. Gerrard. Nationally acclaimed motivational speaker JoAnne Owerns-Nausler is also scheduled to address the group.