Rising Bainbridge High School seniors Kevin L Due, Jermere D. Hopkins and Charles Screen learned about the operation of their local, state and national governments while attending 2009 American Legion Boys State June 11-14 at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

Their Boys State experience was made possible by Bainbridge American Legion Post 502. They were joined by other outstanding rising seniors around the state who were selected by their local American Legion posts.

Dew said the Boys State experience was great because it allowed him to meet and share views with other boys.

“I actually got a chance to run for a local office,” he said. “I didn’t win, but I made campaign posters and shook hands and met a lot of other young men. …We learned the basic concept of Boys State, which is teaching and learning government from the township to the state level.”

Hopkins agreed, pointing out that he and his two Bainbridge Boys State colleagues were kept busy listening to candidates and learning about important issues.

All three Post 502 Boys Staters expressed their appreciation to BHS guidance counselors Calvine Rollins and Barbara Murrah and BHS Air Force Junior ROTC Director Col. Gary Breedlove for their assistance in preparing them for the Boys State experience.

American Legion Post 502 Boys State chairman Winfred Lobe said Boys State helps build character.