American Legion Fundraising for Local High School Juniors

by Martha E. Ibarra/LFN

In an effort to educate young men about city, county and state government, the La Feria American Legion Post 439 is currently asking for aluminum can donations to help fund a trip to Austin for selected High school juniors. The boys chosen for the June trip will have the opportunity to participate in the Texas Boys State Program.

Founded in 1935, Boys State is a selective educational program of government instruction for high school juniors. About 1200 boys from around the state go to Austin where they become a part of the operation of local, county and state government.

The American Legion of La Feria is now trying to give local boys the opportunity to participate in one of the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction.

According to Legion member, Pete Flores, high school counselors select the boys and the American Legion pays for their trip and entrance fee into the event.

“We’ve done this for a long time,” said Flores.

“Counselors at the high school put forth the names of the students they want us to look at. We pay the transportation and the entrance fee and the boys go and study the state and county government,” he added.

The objective of Boys State centers on the structure of city, county and state administration. Boys State offers activities such as legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations and more all operated by students elected to various offices.

Aluminum can donations can be taken to the American Legion in La Feria located at 145 E. Commercial Avenue.