GIRARD Boys State immerses students in civics

Creating a mock government is part of the students' hands-on workshop.
GIRARD -- Sixteen students from Girard, Liberty, McDonald and Mineral Ridge high schools are attending Buckeye Boys State this week.
Most of the students were chosen by DeWitt McConnell Post 235 of the American Legion.
Buckeye Boys State began Saturday and runs until June 17 at Bowling Green State University. About 1,450 students are attending.
Buckeye Boys State was founded in 1936 and is the largest Boys State program in the nation. It is a hands-on workshop in the principles and organization of Ohio government, where students learn by operating the agencies and levels of a mythical state government, the "51st State."
Who's attending: Delegates from Post 235 and co-sponsors are: Adam R. Hanley by Girard Lions Club and Michael A. Harris by Charles W. and Sarah J. Syak Foundation, both of Girard High School; Jeffrey B. Blumental and David M. Bratslavsky by Liberty Schools PTA, Jeffrey W. Grossman by Girard-Liberty Rotary and Mark C. Rubenstein by Girard-Liberty Kiwanis, all of Liberty High School; Jeffrey J. Appoc by McDonald Knights of Columbus Council 4658, Richard A. Mattson by Girard-Liberty Kiwanis, Frank L. Tuscano by McDonald High School Student Council and Steven A. Wilson by McDonald Schools PEGS, all of McDonald High School; Eric P. Besoiu by SAL Squadron 235 and The Griffith Agency, Justin E. Stevens by the Army & amp; Navy Union-Niles McKinley Garrison 422, and Alexander G. White by Mineral Ridge VFW Post 4192 and Phillip A. Smith, alternate, all from Mineral Ridge High School.
The co-sponsors help Post 235 by donating the cost for each to attend. Post 235 pays the transportation cost to and from Buckeye Boys State.
Three other Trumbull County students were selected by other American Legion posts: Peter Goche and Mathew Vross, both of Mineral Ridge High School, by Niles Post 106, and Charles C. Mooney of McDonald High School by Howland Post 700.