John Bapst Memorial High School Head Mel MacKay announced today the names of this year’s delegates to Dirigo Boys and Girls State. Selected to attend Girls State are Polly Bickford-Duane, Aina Crouch, Robyn Handley, Molly Horne, Kristen Shaw, and Sarah Van Kirk. Selected to attend Boys State are Jordan Campbell, Michael Campbell, and Aaron Ortiz.
Dirigo Boys and Girls State provide Maine high school juniors with the opportunity to supplement their high school courses by participating in a program that immerses them in a study of government and its functions. In the program, students role-play as they learn to campaign for local, county, and state offices and then organize and execute the functions of the local and state governments.
Candidates at John Bapst must submit a written essay for consideration and be selected by the faculty. Sponsors of Boys and Girls State delegates this year include Bangor Breakfast Kiwanis, American Legion James W. Williams Post #12, Key Club, Student Senate, John Bapst faculty and staff, and Ms. Diane Pearson.
Social Sciences teacher Jason O’Reilly, who coordinates the Dirigo Boys and Girls State programs at John Bapst, recently explained, “The Boys and Girls State programs offer our students the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the functions of government and the duties and privileges of citizenship with other like-minded juniors from across the state. The week-long mock government experience further enhances the school’s mission to foster a sense of respect for learning, for themselves, and for others.”