American Legion Post 29, along with additional community donors, sponsored 17 young men to attend the 81st American Legion Mountaineer Boys State the week of June 10-16.

The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State is a one-week course in the operations of government and political process. Each citizen, as they are referred to, can choose one of six career paths. These paths are: legislative, judicial, financial, law enforcement, journalism and homeland security.

The objective of the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State is to have the young men run the 51st state of the United States. They will elect all positions for state, county and city government, while learning the valuable life lessons in how government works.

West Virginia has the second oldest Boys State program in the nation This American Legion program has been held in West Virginia since 1936, and produces fine Americans and patriots.

Those attending are: Noah Lewis Carr, son of Melissa Carr, Elkins High School; Cole Patrick Crumm, son of Jack and Lisa Crumm, Elkins High School; Michael Thomas DiBacco, son of John and Erin DiBacco, Elkins High School; Ty Hunter Flynn, son of Heidi Hawkins and Scott Flynn, Elkins High School; Abe Gallagher-Reyes, son of Patrick Gallagher III, Elkins High School; Chrisstopher Blair Kiess, son of Jeff and Sharon Kiess, Elkins High School; Ethan Hunter Malcomb, son of William Malcomb, Tygarts Valley High School; Ethan Jacob Mallow, son of Katie and Greg Mallow, Elkins High School; Shane Matthew Martel, son of Mitch and Vanessa Channell, Tygarts Valley High School; Andrew Shane Maxwell, son of Susan Maxwell, Tygarts Valley High School; Dylon Adrian Phillips, son of Jamie Hammonds, Elkins High School; Robert Charles Preston, son of Ann Auvil and Robert Preston, Elkins High School; Alexander Thomas Pritt, son of Melanie and Cecil Pritt, Elkins High School; Joseph Paul Satterfield, son of Casey and Adam Stiles, Elkins High School; Brennon Christopher Weese, son of Chris and Becky Weese, Elkins High School; Donovan Blaine Wiles, son of Ashley Davis and Danny Wiles, Elkins High School; and Ethan James Wilson, son of John and Bridgette Wilson, Elkins High School.

American Legion Post 29 would like to congratulate these fine young men, and also thank the following for their support in helping them attend: The Dennis Calain Memorial Fund and those who generously contributed to it, Mountain Valley Bank, Citizens Bank of WV, Mike Ross, Davis Trust Co., Elkins Rotary Club, Lohr Barb Funeral Home, Snowshoe Foundation, Elkins Kiwanis, Tomblyn Funeral Home, Sherman Baxa, Elkins Knights of Columbus and Elkins Lions Club.