Lake Minnetonka Kids Chosen for Minnesota's American Legion Convention

By Lorrie Ham

Three junior boys and five junior girls have been selected by the Mound American Legion Post and Auxiliary to represent the Westonka community at the annual Boys and Girls State Convention.

Headed for Boys State, June 12-18 at Southwest State University at Marshall, are Andrew Enoksen, Grant Piepkorn and Joe Vertnik. Girls State will be the same week at Bethel University in Arden Hills, with Hannah Berg, Kaitlyn Eikenberry, Grace Polusny, Monica Shukle and Grette Treat representing the community.
 
The candidates were chosen after interviews with the Legion and Auxiliary based on their leadership skills, ability to work with others, honesty, enthusiasm and interest in citizenship training. Boys and Girls State delegates will experience local, county, and state government during their week.

The purpose of the conventions is to provide students with good citizenship training and the opportunity to learn about the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of government in a democratic society.

Each convention will have over 400 participants from every region of Minnesota; all sponsored by their area American Legion and Legion Auxiliary Posts.

Due to the number of qualified candidates for the program this year, the Excelsior Legion Post and Auxiliary are actually sponsoring two of the MWHS students. “We are very grateful for their sponsorship,” said Kathy Rice, Mound Legion Auxiliary representative.

Upon return the delegates will be asked to report their impressions and experiences of Boys and Girls State to their local post.