Preparing to lead

Today, they’re ambitious high school students, but tomorrow they’ll be civic leaders and public servants guiding our communities and the nation.
A motivated group of four Oxford High School students have been selected to participate in three summer programs designed to educate them about public service, promote good citizenship and prepare them to someday take the reins of government.
Junior Caitlin Checkeroski was chosen to attend the 66th session of the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, to be held June 19-23 on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.
She will join about 500 other young ladies from around the state.
Juniors Alec Piliafas, Adam Heskitt and Josef Krawciw were selected to attend the 70th session of the Michigan American Legion Boys State, also to be held June 17-23 on the MSU campus.
The boys will join about 750 other young men from around the state.
Both Boys State and Girls State operate as real-life simulations in which participants serve as public officials in mock city, county and state governments of their own creation.
Students learn the duties and functions, as well as the powers and limitations, of various public offices in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.
‘It’s an eye-opening learning experience for them,? said Helen Smith, local chairperson for Boys State and Girls State. ‘It teaches them how our government really works and how they can participate in it as citizens and future leaders.?
During the week-long programs, pariticipants engage in a variety of activities including campaigning for office, voting for candidates, enacting laws, formulating public policy, participating in conventions for mythical political parties, learning parliamentary procedure, problem-solving and practicing the art of compromise.
The $325 per student cost for Girls State was paid for by Oxford Women’s Club, AMVETS Post 108, Rotary Club of Oxford and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108.
The $335 per student cost for Boys State was covered by American Legion Post 108, AMVETS Post 108 and the Rotary Club of Oxford.
In addition to politics and government, one OHS student will learn about law enforcement by undergoing realistic officer training.
Junior Cody A. Kovacic is slated to participate in the Youth Career Law Enforcement program (formerly known as Student Trooper, to be held July 22-27 at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing.
Billed as a ‘mini version of actual Michigan State Police Training,? the program is geared toward students interested in a police career and involves intense physical and educational training. Patterned after the regular state police recuit training program, the five-day program is designed to duplicate a ‘Boot Camp? atmosphere.
The $375 per student cost for the Youth Career Law Enforcement Program is paid for by American Legion Post 108 and AMVETS Post 108.
After they attend their programs, the Boys State and Girls State participants along with the Student Trooper will report their experiences and what they learned to their various sponsors.

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