Thirteen local students ready to attend Boys State

SIKESTON - Thirteen incoming seniors from around the area will attend the 68th session of Missouri Boys State at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

"Boys State teaches the young men about all of our democratic institutions and how they operate. It's really a week to shape a lifetime," said Blair Moran, member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Area organizations sponsor the Sikeston students' trip to Warrensburg, including the American Legion, Blanton Law Firm, Burns and Taylor Law Firm, Elks Lodge, Jaycees in Sikeston and Oran, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Standard Democrat and VFW.

Attending from Sikeston are: Kenneth Barkett, the son of Kenneth and Marilyn Barkett; Garrett Cooper, the son of Brian and Susan Cooper; Stanley Ivie, the son of Stan and Susan Ivie; Michael Jones, the son of Catherine Green and Ricky Mixon; Charles Jones, the son of Gordon and Ann Jones; Ethan Riley, the son of Larry and Robbyn Jones and the late William Riley; Matthew Ritch, the son of David and Christy Ritch; Matthew Rushing, the son of Kelley and Cheryl Rushing; Brandon Sauceda, the son of Tony and Cindy Sauceda; and Andrew Wallace, the son of Ron and Terri Wallace.

"I'm looking forward to the chance to get away for the week and learn a lot. It'll be like camp, only educational," Rushing said.

Also attending from the area are Coleman Jones of New Madrid, the son of Tony and Cindi Jones, David Holley of Charleston, the son of Charles and Jayna Holley and Lance Dannenmueller of Oran, the son of Buddy and Mary Dannenmueller.

While the young men may not know what to expect, 2005 Boys State delegate Jordan Phenicie offers a piece of wisdom when it comes to getting the full experience of Boys State.

"It's very realistic. The whole week is set up as much like a government as possible," Phenicie said.

"A lot of the guys spent time getting situated and comfortable with their surroundings, but Boys State is too fast paced to do that. You have to jump right in and get involved as soon as you get there."

Boys State is designed to educate and train Missouri's young leaders in functional citizenship, leadership and government. Nearly 1,000 student leaders will build an entire state government in a single week.

Boys State will begin June 16 and end June 23.