Area teen attends Boys State

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - Thomas Lee Akins participated in the American Legion Boys State of Missouri June 18-25 on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Akins was selected based on his leadership, citizenship, academics and character during his junior year at New Madrid County Central High School.

Boys State is a pure democracy in that all citizens may vote and are eligible to hold office. The program is designed to educate and train Missouri's young leaders in functional citizenship, leadership and government. Nearly 1,000 student leaders build an entire state government in a single week.

Accomplishments, positions held and awards earned by Akins at Missouri Boys State include: citizen of Ingle City, member of the Nationalist Party, fireman, Ward II, and citizen of the Model City. Akins attended Law Enforcement School while participating in Boys State.

Akins, the son of Amy Bradley, was sponsored by American Legion Post 595 - New Madrid.