Schools

Student Leaders to Establish '51st State'

Morristown teens join seniors at Boys State program.

A Morris Plains student will join 85 other rising seniors from Morris County to establish a "51st state" to the union this week.

On Sunday, seniors arrived at the 68th session of American Legion Jersey Boys State at Rider University in Lawrenceville. Sponsored by the American Legion, the program is a practical approach for teaching civics and government at the local, county and state level, including party politics.

Representing Morristown Legion Post 59 are Michael Rich and Matthew Strambi.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This week will shape the future for 967 young leaders at Jersey Boys State,” said David Bagatelle, director of Boys State. “Just ask Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Robert Menendez, or Mayor Cory Booker, all of whom attended this program when they were in high school.”

Statesmen will have the opportunity to govern and interact with other top-of-the-class peers from across New Jersey as they run their own mythical 51st state of the union from June 16-21. Within 24 hours each city will divide into political parties, elect a mayor and council from within their ranks. By the end of the session, statesmen will have filled the ranks of local, county, state governments, municipal courts and will elect two senators to serve at American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. later this summer.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Throughout the week-long program, students will:

  • Hear from US Senate candidate and Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Congressman Leonard Lance and Assemblyman Herbert Conaway, Jr.;
  • Participate in a college fair featuring top national universities;
  • Attend leadership seminars and training by United States Marine Corps and New Jersey State Police;
  • Elect the 68th Boys State Governor; and
  • Elect two Boys Nation Senators who will represent New Jersey at the annual American Legion Jersey Boys Nation program in Washington D.C., from July 19-26, 2013.


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