Poplar Bluff High School is sending 18 juniors to Missouri Boys and Girls State this summer, the largest group in recent memory, according to the counseling department.

 

In order to be nominated, students recommended by their teachers must display leadership skills and knowledge of government, and maintain a minimum of an 8.3 grade point average.

 

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State sponsors included 1st Midwest Bank; First Missouri State Bank; God’s House Church; Kevin Barbour of Kraft, Miles and Tatem; Missouri Rep. Jeff Shawan; Nathan Maurer of Poplar Bluff Realty; the Rotary Club of Poplar Bluff; Rowland Family Dentistry; Southern Bank; and Sunkissed Tanning Salon & Spa. American Legion Boys State of Missouri sponsors were taken care of through the state office with help from Bettie Rusher, Boys State manager of development and administration.

 

The weeklong program in June on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg is designed to educate and train Missouri’s high schoolers in functional citizenship, leadership and government, according to a press release issued.

Pictured: PBHS students headed to Boys State include (standing, left to right) Harrison Warren, Ethan Tucker, Benjamin Hickey and Randy Hederer; and (kneeling, from left) Samuel Persons, Michael Joseph, Austin Tinsley and Ross Dare.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District