LUCKEY — Troy-Webster Post & Unit #240 held its annual Buckeye Boys & Girls State dinner on June 30.
Citizens and delegates gave a recap of their experiences for the week. The post, with the help of Bowling Green VFW #1148, sent six citizens this year while the auxiliary unit sent two delegates this year.
Lisa Williamson, national president of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) from Fairbanks, Alaska, and Jane Ridenour, Department (State) of Ohio president, attended the event. Also in attendance were Dave Ridenour, past president and current member of the Buckeye Boys State Board of Trustees, and Dan Mundrick, government teacher from Eastwood High School.
Commander Tom Briggs led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance and gave introductions.
The students from Eastwood who attended Girls State and Boys State were:
• Samantha Brooks – Elected to the House of Representatives.
• Hayden Hoelter – elected to the House of Representatives.
• Landon Porter – city council member.
• Collin Schober – Ohio Consumer council member and received Challenge Coin.
• Connor Carrol-Schramm – state highway patrolman. Earned a Certificate of Excellence, and was accepted into the Ohio State Highway Patrol week-long cadet program in Columbus.
Students representing Northwood High School were:
• Alexa Urbanyi – deputy sheriff
• Brandon Didion- city council president and earned the BBS Government Excellence Award with a $500 scholarship. He plans to return to BBS in the future as a counselor.
• Uland Emmert – city council member
Williamson commended the students on their accomplishments and explained to them her special project for the year, Veteran Suicide. She experienced losing someone close to her to suicide as she explained her “dog tag” shaped pin that she gave to each of the students. 988 is the number to dial for a person in need of help to prevent them from taking their life. The purple and teal ribbon signifies suicide prevention. Be The One is the American Legion’s initiative to be the one to save one veteran from taking their life.
Ridenour talked about her special project which is supporting veterans with PTSD. HOOVES (Healing Of Our Veterans Equine Service) in Swanton is a tremendous program to help veterans, first responders, and now children suffering from PTSD. All funds raised for Ridenour’s project will go directly to HOOVES.
Ridenour talked about his experiences working with Boys State and commended the BBS citizens as well as the BGS delegate present. He told them the positions they held during their week long experience were commendable and something to be proud of.
