Dayton Students Attend American Legion Jersey Boys' State

Two Springfield students were admitted to the American Legion Jersey Boys’ State program late last month.

Held annually by the American Legion since 1946, Boys State aims to teach youth the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Brett Biebelberg and John Ferreira, Dayton students sponsored by Springfield’s American Legion, Post #228, were accepted into the program. Biebelberg, , and Ferriera were both elected to leadership positions in the program.

The nationwide leadership training program drew 800 of New Jersey’s best and brightest high school juniors, and was held at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ from Sunday, June 19 to Friday, June 24.

Biebelberg and Ferriera both served in elected and appointed positions. Both were elected in their city party primaries for the position of Councilman. In addition, Brett was elected as City Councilman for Adams City and John was appointed to the position Superintendent of Schools for Monroe City.

Former Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady was a senior advisor in this year’s program. He said he was impressed with the Dayton students’ abilities and accomplishments.

“As a 2001 alumnus of this college-level program, I understand how hard these young men worked to be selected to attend ALJBS and I know the tireless days and nights they went through to graduate,” Shehady said in an email.

Several noteworthy figures from New Jersey’s government attended the event, including Governor Chris Christie, Senator Tom Kean, Assemblyman Herb Conaway, and Assemblyman John McKeon.

Senator Tom Kean took some time to meet with the Springfield delegation and discuss the importance of civic participation. 

Shehady said Beibelberg and Ferriera attended a variety of seminars and assemblies with guest speakers like Ari Fleischer, and Q&A with Governor Chris Christie, practical exercises in government and politics and they learned the importance of the sacrifices made by veterans.