MMI Preparatory School rising senior Garrett Kost, the son of Joseph and Natalie Kost of Freeland, was selected to attend the Pennsylvania American Legion Keystone Boys State civic leadership program at Shippensburg University. More than 230 rising high school seniors from across Pennsylvania attended the weeklong program in June.
The students learned about leadership, state and local government and civic participation. Participants are among the best and brightest of Pennsylvania’s future leaders.
Charles Seidel, MMI Assistant Head of School, said, “Garrett is actively engaged in a number of activities both inside and outside of school. We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of all of our students. It’s great to see students working toward the betterment of themselves and their communities.”
Boys State was founded in 1935 by two Illinois Legionnaires to teach young men about the rights, privileges and responsibilities of American citizens. The program focuses on hands-on participation in simulated city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Keystone Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, a band and recreational programs.
The program has produced such notable alumni as President Bill Clinton, chief of naval operations Adm. Jon Greenert, United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, astronaut Neil Armstrong, noted national news anchor Tom Brokaw, businessman and former basketball player Michael Jordan and entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, among others.
The simulated city councils and state legislature of this year’s program passed legislation fighting poverty, improving public schools, reducing urban blight and incentivizing innovation—all challenges facing Pennsylvania.
This year’s attendance was the largest in more than a decade. The program is free to participants, who receive a sponsorship from their local American Legion Post.
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