Pair of Colony seniors take part in Boys State

WASILLA — Two Colony High School seniors were among the more than two dozen participants in the 2017 Alaska Boys State which wrapped up last Saturday.

Wyatt Mosher and Christian Kowalke, both from Colony High School, spent a week at Wilderness Lodge at Saint Therese’s Camp near Wasilla, with 26 other soon-to-be seniors in the nationwide citizenship training program sponsored by the American Legion. Locally, Susitna Valley Post 35 sponsored both young men.

Throughout the week, participants brushed up on the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. According to program officials, the program’s objective centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. During the program, the youth were elected to various offices mirroring borough and state governments of Alaska. Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.

Legion officials stated the program’s goal is that each participant will return to his community a better citizen. They further hope the leadership training camp experience will have stimulated in each young man a desire to become an active citizen and leader to make contributions which will help to make his community a better place.

Throughout the week, speakers from prominent state businesses and military leaders were among the presenters. Loren Leman was among those speakers at both the Boys and Girls State programs. Leman is an ardent program supporter and was among those attending the first Alaska Boys State Programs.

Boys State programs currently exist in all Legion departments throughout the country except Hawaii. The American Legion Auxiliary, which sponsored Girls State held earlier this spring, served as support staff for Boys State Alaska Director Kevin Collier.