Left to right, Yorktown Councilman Patrick Murphy; post Commander Carl DiLiberto; Christian Ramos; and post Adjutant Patrick McDonough. Photo courtesy of the Yorktown American Legion.
The Yorktown American Legion recently honored five high school juniors for completing the 2024 Boys State New York program.
The Legion’s officers presented the juniors on October 13 during the Post’s School Call, an annual event that invites area high school students to learn how they can participate in the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, Boys State and Empire Girls State programs.
The 2024 Boys State participants were Paul Joseph Merriam of Lakeland High School, Matthew J. Pilot and Riley Zhou of Yorktown High School, Christian Ramos of Walter Panas High School, and Zachary Stark of Fox Lane High School. They joined other exceptional juniors from across the state this past summer at the week-long program.
“These young men represent the future of our community, and we were proud to send them to Boys State. Their dedication to academic excellence and leadership sets them apart,” said Commander Carl T. DiLiberto.
Boys State is a prestigious opportunity that immerses students in the workings of government and the responsibilities of citizenship. Attendees engage in a hands-on experience, learning about the structure of local, county, and state governments. The program fosters leadership skills, critical thinking, and teamwork as participants run for office, create laws, and debate policies in a mock government setting.
