By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Thirteen students from Fayette County's four high schools have been selected by American Legion Post 105 to participate in Girls State and Boys State this week at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

The purpose of the weeklong session is for students to participate in a model state, complete with governing bodies and elected officials, according to Robert Ladd, of Post 105. “It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of our state government,” Ladd said.

The program's objectives are to develop civic leadership and pride in American citizenship, arouse a keen interest in the detailed study of government, develop an understanding of American traditions and belief in the U.S. and foster determination to maintain our current form of government, Ladd added.

Selected to attend this year's session are:

Nancy Damhauser, Ryan Hicks, Ben Gregg, Marc Baumgardner, Jack Carr and Josh Feldt, students at Starr's Mill High School; Kristen Johnson and A.J. Garcia, students at Fayette County High School; Natalie Frantz, Joey Justice and Charlie Baran, students at McIntosh High School; and Susan Pell and Pete Browning, students at Sandy Creek High School.

One of the students attending “state” will be awarded a $20,000 scholarship by Samsung Corporation and the American Legion.

Former participants in Boys State include Sam Sweat, vice principal at Starr's Mill, Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Young, journalist Tom Brokaw and former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn.