Boys and Girls State provide leadership experience for local students

MANSON - The Manson American Legion Post 108 recognized five local high school juniors for their participation in the 2025 American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs. The summer leadership and citizenship programs teach students about the structure and operation of local, county, and state government through simulated legislative sessions, court proceedings, and other activities.

One student from Manson High School and four from Chelan High School attended. Boys State was held June 15–21 at Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, and Girls State took place June 22–27 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

The Post 108 Boys and Girls State Committee included Robin Bloch, George Rohrich, Marie Cannon, and John Swenson. At Manson High School, Superintendent Tabatha Mires, Principal Kami Kronbauer, and Counselor Jim Broome assisted, while at Chelan High School, Counselor Derek Todd served as the key contact. Post 108 covered the $2,860 total tuition cost for all participants.

After the programs, the students attended American Legion meetings to share their experiences.

Chelan High School student Evelyn Cortez said she made many new friends through the experience and learned about careers in fields like accounting, business, government and insurance that she may be interested in pursuing.

“I learned that poppies are more than just flowers—they’re powerful symbols of remembrance for the veterans who gave so much,” Cortez said. “I also discovered the meaning behind pocket flags: small, folded American flags given to soldiers as tokens of hope and encouragement.” 

“On the government side, I gained a clearer understanding of key roles like Auditor, Treasurer, and Insurance Commissioner, and how essential they are to keeping our systems fair, transparent, and running smoothly,” she said.

James Fehr of Chelan High School found attending Boys State to be an eye-opening experience that deepened his understanding of government, leadership, and the challenges facing communities. 

“I gained insight into how our state and local governments operate, how political parties function, and the real issues confronting cities today—from housing affordability to homelessness,” he said.

He also learned about leadership

“I also discovered the power of one-on-one conversations in building trust and guiding a team effectively,” he said.

“Perhaps the most surprising takeaway was realizing how much common ground exists among people, regardless of political differences,” he said. “I arrived expecting sharp divisions, but instead found shared goals—like improving housing and supporting those in need—that united us more than I anticipated.”

Bradly “Rock” England of Manson High School learned a lot about state government.

“It turned out to be an incredible experience,” he said. “I learned a lot about how Washington State’s government operates—and I was surprised by how closely it mirrors the structure of the federal government. We explored the system of checks and balances, the roles of each branch, how to draft legislation, and how bills are debated and voted on in the House. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend Boys State. It brought me one step closer to realizing my dreams.”

Chelan High School student Alexa Padilla appreciated all of the learning and activities.

 “I learned how to write a bill, how to properly fold the American flag, and the meaning behind each fold,” Padilla said. “I was also surprised by how many extracurricular activities were offered—we were constantly busy!”

Chelan’s Cassidy McCarey found the learning portion to be very engaging.

“I really enjoyed learning about civics and how local and state governments work together—it was fascinating and kept me fully engaged throughout the experience,” she said.

“We are incredibly proud of the students we sponsored, and we’re confident that this one transformative week will leave a lasting impact on their lives,” Manson American Legion Commander Clyde McCullough said.

For more information about the programs, visit https://evergreenboysstate.org. Manson American Legion Post 108 meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Manson Parks building.

Quinn Propst: 206-923-8706 or quinn@ward.media