Maximilian Hess Tells about Boys State

Maximilian Hess, Monticello’s American Legion Post 110 Boys State representative, spoke to the membership at September’s meeting about his experience at the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville this past June.

Maximilian, the son of Legion Member Dan Hess and Christina Hess, was sponsored by the Post to represent Jasper County. He was selected by his peers to be the “Mayor” during his week.

The American Legion Program has become known as one of the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students.

A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government, Boys State was founded in 1935. (American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State.) The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, boys state activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.

Legion posts select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post, a local business or another community-based organization.

Maximilian is a senior at Jasper County High School where he is a honor student as well as starting full back for the Hurricanes. One of his goals for this academic year is to assist the post in identifying a qualified junior to attend Boys State next June.