A few

young men and women from high schools in the area will get a chance this summer to learn everything they ever wanted to know about government, and more.

Nine junior students from various Butler County schools have been chosen to attend Alabama Boys/Girls State, which has been sponsored by The American Legion for 63 years, where they will learn about all aspects of government and educate themselves in the duties and privledges of being an American citizen.

Lindsey Stinson, James Turner and Jame McCough from Greenville Acadamy; Adam Crenshaw, Sam Ryles, Drew Spears and Meredith Moseley from Fort Dale Acadamy and Ashley Bennett and Brannon Odom from McKenzie High School were nominated by faculty at the schools based on academic achievment and leadership abilities to attend the events.

The male students will attend Boys State June 11-17 at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Ala. Girls State will be held at Troy State University in Troy, Ala., on June 4-9.

The participants are placed in political parties within certain cities and must write platforms to run for state offices. After elected, they will fulfill the duties for whichever office they are chosen to fill by doing what real office-holders do each day.

C.K. Porter, agitant for American Legion Post 24 in Greenville, said he believed attending the program will help the young people in the future.

"If they want to go on and pursue politics, they gain knowledge of it at Boys and Girls State," he said.

Porter added that the schools did an excellent job in choosing the individuals who will participate in the program.

Aside from practicing their leadership abilities, those attending Boys State can also participate in sports activities or the Boys State Band and Chorus.

Each group will visit the state capitol building in Montgomery.