Local students to receive Congressional Certificates of Commendation from American Legion

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – On Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. on November 3, at The South County Community Center, a place where residents will cast votes in local elections, several high school students not old enough to vote will gather in a nearby room to be awarded Certificates of Commendation and receive special copies of the United States Constitution in celebration of their tireless school volunteering and involvement. These awards were arranged for by American Legion Post 305 Boys State Chairman Dayton Denton through United States Representative for Texas’ 8th Congressional District Kevin Brady.

For these students, this occasion celebrates their completion of The 2015 American Legion’s Boys and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Conferences held at The University of Texas in Austin earlier this year. The location of this awards ceremony (with voting booths just down the hall) is not lost on this passionate group of civic-minded youngsters. They are our country’s next generation of leader citizens – eager to engage in government affairs themselves while also inspiring others to do the same on the local or national level. Their message is to be helpful wherever, whenever there is a need.

“These students follow in the footsteps of Former United States President Bill Clinton, Television Anchor and Reporter Jane Pauley and Basketball Legend Michael Jordan, who all attended State Conferences as young students,” said Denton.

American Legion Boys and Girls State are among the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students. At the annual Boys and Girls State Conference, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.

“This awards presentation honors selected students from The Woodlands High School, College Park High School, The John Cooper School, Oak Ridge High School and even some homeschoolers in the area,” said Denton.

The cost of each student to attend the conference is $290, the expenses of which are paid for by sponsoring American Legion Posts, the student’s respective high school, a local business and/or another community-based organization.

“These social-minded students are being trained to become model public officials for our future,” said Dick Milstead, CEO and founder of Milstead Automotive, who for years has proudly sponsored students to attend these prestigious conferences. “The American Legion is to be commended for its dedication to the future of our youth.”

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of community-centric programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

To find out more about The American Legion Boys and Girls State Conference and/or to sponsor a student attending, contact Dayton Denton at 832-928-6054 or whselfstorage1@yahoo.com. The South County Community Center is located at 2235 Lake Robbins Drive in Spring.