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Community Corner

Three Springfield Students Selected for American Legion Jersey Boys' State Program

Trio of local lads attended prestigious program.

Three Springfield residents, Andrew Batallas, Christopher Scalzo and Thomas Kirk were selected to attend the 67th session of the prestigious American Legion Jersey Boys’ State program. On Sunday, June 17, they arrived at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ where the annual program is held and they graduated Friday, June 22. 

Admission to this program is very selective and delegates are sponsored by their local American Legion post. Andrew and Christopher were sponsored by my American Legion post, Springfield Post #228, of which I am the Boys’ State Chairman.  Over 900 of New Jersey’s best and brightest high school juniors participate in this nation-wide citizenship and leadership training program.  (More information is available here.

Andrew, Christopher and Thomas served in a variety of elected and appointed positions to include Supervisor of Streets, City Clerk and party Assembly candidate.

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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.  I return every year possible to volunteer on staff. This year I served as a Political Party Advisor and arranged for the attendance of distinguished guests like Congressman Leonard Lance and Senator Tom Kean.

Congressman Leonard Lance (a former American Legion Jersey Boys’ State delegate) and Senator Tom Kean spoke about the importance of civic participation, the role of the Legislature and the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.

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Andrew, Christopher and Thomas had the opportunity to attend a college fair, a variety of seminars, assemblies with guest speakers from various industries, practical exercises in government and politics and they learned the importance of the sacrifices made by veterans. The New Jersey Boys State Foundation (www.njbsf.org) was also set up to work in partnership with the American Legion Department of New Jersey to maintain American Legion Jersey Boys State tuition-free to future delegates by helping off-set the escalating costs of running the program through Legacy Scholarships, Corporate and Individual donations, and Special Events.

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