Marshall American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) announce the following eight young men as their representatives to the 68th annual American Legion Boys State at Southwest Minnesota State University, from June 12-18.

The Boys Staters representing Marshall are Kevin Berg, the son Cathy and Bruce Berg; Matthew Dunn, the son of Connie and Chris Dunn; Brandon Groenewold, the son of Karyn and Kevin Groenewold; Martin Olsen, the son of Beatrice and Christopher Olsen; Dalton Petermeier, the son of Rachel and Keith Petermeier; Toby Semler, the son of Dani Felcyn and Shawn Semler; Lyth Shahin, the son of Najah and Sami Shahin; Alex Thordson, the son of Rashell and Jesse Thordson.

Scholars to Boys State must be juniors in high school. They are singly honored in view of the outstanding qualifications set forth as requirements in selecting them. They are named through cooperation of the Post, high school faculty and leading citizens in the community.

Minnesota American Legion Boys State is a week-long experience of learning about Minnesota government at the local, county, and state levels by “doing.” It is a week of intensive study and involvement. The participants will actually organize and participate in the various levels and branches of government in addition to participating in athletics, music, writing for the newspaper or holding leadership positions across all levels of the program. Every young man will participate in the process of city, county and state government. Minnesota Boys State is a program for young men who have just completed their junior year of high school. Highlights of the week include political speakers, mock trials, campaigning, elections and announcement of the Boys State governor and state constitutional officers

Boys State staff is a volunteer organization comprised of Legionaries, former Boys Staters, teachers and civic minded citizens from various professions. Combined the staff has decades of experience in instructing the delegates at Boys State and works hard to fulfill the objectives and goals put forth by the American Legion.

Legion Boys State was first held in Minnesota in 1948 with 169 boys attending on the St. Paul campus, University of Minnesota. Last year approximately 385 boys participated in the MN Boys State program. Throughout the history of the program, boys have represented the local Legion Post.