By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Three Mesa Verde High School juniors have been nominated to participate in the 2019 session of Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion. The civics and leadership session will be held from June 22-29, 2019 at California State University, Sacramento.
Johnathan Sand was selected as First Delegate, and Victor N. Robles was selected as Second Delegate by Alex Candela, boys state chairman and first vice commander of Citrus Heights American Legion Post 637.
Candela and Sherrie Marlette, vice principal at Mesa Verde High School personally interviewed a group of finalists each nominated by their teachers, before making their final selections.
“We started with 12 students, all of whom came very highly recommended. Each had an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher,” Marlette said. “They’re superstars on our campus.”
“We looked at each student’s overall school experience at Mesa Verde High including community involvement, extracurricular activities, and the service groups they were involved with on and off campus. We also looked at the college preparatory Advanced Placement (AP) coursework they had each completed,” Marlette said.
Roberto Silva was selected as an Alternate delegate in the event that either Sand or Robles are unable to attend the 2019 Boys State session at Sacramento State this coming June.
About the students
Sand has been a Boy Scout for five years and is working on his Eagle Scout project. His grade point average is 4.375 and he is a three-sport athlete, participating in cross-country, soccer and volleyball.
He is a musician who plays the piano, trumpet, tuba, baritone saxophone and has been a member of the Mesa Verde Concert Band for the past three years. Upon graduation, he plans to enter one of the nation’s military academies.
Robles was selected as a Second Delegate. He’s also another musician who plays the trumpet and bassoon. He leans towards jazz and has played in the annual Citrus Heights Halloween Parade.
Robles also belongs to a jazz band outside of his classes at Mesa Verde High School and has performed publicly. He has a grade point average of 3.75. His intention after graduation is to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, and to audition to be a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Band.
Silva, captain of the Mesa Verde High School varsity soccer team, is an exceptional math and science student, say his teachers. He’s planning to apply to Sacramento State University to study architecture.
Silva moved quickly from the freshman soccer team to the varsity level and has a 3.7 grade point average.
What is Boys State?
Boys State is sponsored by The American Legion, the national veteran’s organization, itself celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is among the most respected and selective national educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high-school students. Each local American Legion Post selects eligible high-school juniors to attend the program through a highly competitive screening process.
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State.
Candela said at this year’s Boys State session, “these young men will learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens.”
“Their real objective centers on learning the structure of city, county and state governments where they will campaign for and be elected to various government offices.”
“It’s a great lesson in civics, public speaking and in leadership training,” he said.
Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
This year’s Boys State delegates will join some very distinguished company, Candela said. Former President Bill Clinton, astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, Tim Cook, Apple CEO, and Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Fame member have all participated in the American Legion’s annual Boys State program.
“I’m proud of each of the young men who have been selected to represent their school and our Post,” Candela said. “We had a lot of exceptional candidates this year and the screening was quite competitive. We were looking at the best of the very best who were nominated by their teachers.”
Each participant’s individual expenses are paid by the Citrus Heights Legion Post. On behalf of the membership of his Post, he acknowledges the membership of the Citrus Heights Rotary Club and its president Richard Hale, which will sponsor Sand and Robles as this year’s two Boy’s State selectees. The Citrus Heights Rotary Club’s sponsorship covers the week-long cost of dormitory housing and meals at Sacramento State for the two delegates
Mesa Verde High School has been participating in the American Legion Boys State program for well over five years. Two delegates and one alternate have been selected each year from the high school.
“We’re proud of the academic accomplishments these young men have each achieved,” Marlette said. “We’re honored and excited that they will represent Mesa Verde High School at this year’s American Legion Boys State.”
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