American Legion Sends Seven Juniors to Statewide Event

Each year, Castro Valley’s American Legion Post 649 sponsors local high school juniors attending the Sacramento Boys & Girls State convention. This year, the Post awarded sponsorships to seven Castro Valley-area students, who will be celebrated tomorrow night.

This year's recipients were Scott Baldwin, Ebenezer Mahteme, and Jalen Vongnarith, who represent Castro Valley High School, and Jerry Ann Dania, Jacob Cook, Tyler Skjong, and Gavin Fanucchi, who represented Redwood Christian High School. Recipients have all expenses paid for the June event except for transportation to and from Sacramento.

To qualify for the program, applicants were required to be in their junior year at the end of the school year, with at least one more semester of classes yet to go. Post 649 1st Vice Commander Rick Kalish told the Forum that Legion members conducted outreach to school guidance counselors and government and history teachers to inform their students about this opportunity and submit possible candidates. Members of the Post 649 then interviewed candidates before their selection. 

“The Legion looks for individuals who illustrate leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service in their schools and community and have a high-achieving academic history,” Kalish told the Forum. “Merit and ability are the basis for evaluation during the selection process.” 

In the past, this program was called Boys State and was only for male high school students. After a two-year hiatus of the program due to the COVID pandemic, it has been started again and revised to include both boys and girls.

The American Legion Boys & Girls State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high-school students. Participants learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county, and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices. These activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs. 

Past attendees include Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, astronaut Neil Armstrong, musician Bruce Springsteen, and basketball legend Michael Jordan. 

Kalish says this is one way the American Legion helps young people learn more about representative government and their individual civic responsibilities.

“We have sent students for many years now and really enjoy the feedback we get from them about their experiences during the convention,” Kalish said. 

The Legion’s recognition dinner will be on Thursday, October 10, at JP Family Restaurant on Castro Valley Boulevard.