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Boys State May 30-June 5, Girls State June 5-11 at Southern Miss

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 12:00am | By: David Tisdale

For the first time, The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg will host both Boys and Girls State, with the Boys State delegates coming to campus May 30-June 5 and Girls State delegates visiting June 5-11. High school students between their junior and senior years judged to have high moral character, good grades and potential for leadership are selected by American Legion Posts and Auxiliaries from across the state to participate in these events. 

Boys and Girls State help young men and women learn about citizenship and the political process through hands-on participation in campaigns, legislation and project development simulating government processes at the local, county and state levels. Public officials from all levels of government in the state will be on campus throughout both weeks to speak to participants. 

Girls and Boys Nation is a continuation of these programs, with two senators elected from each Boys and Girls State convention to travel to Washington, D.C. to participate.

Boys State, held this year at Southern Miss for the first time, is sponsored by the American Legion. Girls State, which has been a fixture on the Hattiesburg campus each summer for decades, is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. For more information about Boys and Girls State, online visit www.msboysstate.com or http://www.missala.com/girlsstate.html.