By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
American Legion Post 90 sponsored 10 areas students at this year’s Boys and Girls State held at Troy University.
As is the custom, the Legion held a reception for State delegates Thursday, August 29, and asked each one to talk about their experience. The reception had previously been rescheduled due to conflicts. However, there was also a conflict with the new date, August 29, as Escambia Academy was hosting Meet the Cougars.
Delegates to Girls State this year were
* Emma Grayce Fuqua – Flomaton High School
* Vishya Lantrock – W.S. Neal High School
* Edie Walker – T.R. Miller High School
Emma Grayce was the only one to attend the reception.
Delegates to Boys State were
* Travis Andrews – Escambia Academy
* Owen Chancery – Flomaton High School
* Harper Harrison – Flomaton High School
* Zachary Herndon – Flomaton High School
* Caden Leachman – Escambia Academy
* Jamison McGhee – Escambia Academy
* Campbell Morgan – Escambia Academy
Jamison and Campbell did not attend the reception.
Certificates were presented by Post 90 Interim Commander Billy Elder.
* The first one to receive his certificate and was asked to speak was Travis Andrews who was caught completely off guard. He had little to say at the time, but later said this about his experience: “I had a very good experience at Boys State. I was able to meet tons of different people who I never could have imagined meeting before. I made many friends and learned many things that that I will carry into my future experiences. I was very scared of the whole experience at first and didn’t like it, but I grew to love it and will always hold it as an amazing experience. I would like to thank the sponsors who sent me there greatly.”
* Emma Grayce Fuqua – “I want to say thank you to Post 90 for investing in me and sending me to Girls State. It was the absolute best week it could possibly be! That week at Troy University was unforgettable and I truly had the time of my life.
“I have gained a new appreciation for the way our state and federal government is set up. I also understand much more now and it was an experience that can’t be learned from a book or by watching the news.
“I was a member of the city of St. Stephen’s and we were in the county of Andrews. I was also a member of the Nationalist Party. I ran for county commissioner, and I am happy to say that I was elected! Another highlight of the week was the governor that was elected was from my city!
“I made many new friends. It was so nice to be surrounded by girls from Alabama who I had so much in common with. I still keep up with many of the other delegates and I predict many of them will be lifelong friends of mine. I got to see one of them last week at our local football game.
“In closing I want you to know that I really appreciate you all for making this happen for our local schools. I am wearing my poppy tonight that I received during my week at girls state. There were many other highlights and memories. I really want to promote the Girls State experience at my school so that the next delegate will know what to expect and have a great time like I did.”
* Owen Chancery said arriving at Boys State “was odd.” It wasn’t what he and the other two Flomaton High School delegates thought since they had no prior knowledge of Boys State. Owen said they wanted to get in the truck and leave, but their parents told them they couldn’t.
And, it seems, Owen is glad he stayed. He said he learned so much – workings of cities, counties, states and federal government on all levels. He said he networked with a lot of people.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Owen said. “ I was thinking after [high] school about going into law or engineering, but I realized law is not for him. Thank you for sending me.”
* Harper Harrison – Harper said he learned how politics work, but the best part was playing frisbee and meeting other athletes. “Thank you for sending me,” he said. “It was a good experience.”
* Zachary Herndon – Zachary said it was weird for the first little bit. As he went through the week, he learned about and appreciated different interest groups. His group was medical – athletic training – and he enjoyed that. He’s still in touch with some fellow delegates. “I’m thankful to you for sending me to Boys State. I’m glad for the opportunity,” he said.
* Caden Leachman – Caden came in as the reception was ending and several had left. He said he had a really good time and even spoke at his National Party convention. Caden recommends that students go if they have the opportunity. He made a lot of new friends.
Boys and Girls State sponsors are State Farn Insurance; Escambia Lawn Equipment Center; Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., Bub Gideons. Also contributing were David’s Catfish and Flomaton Subway.