PRESS RELEASE
The American Legion Boys State of Missouri, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION: August 2021 Contact: MBS Headquarters 660.429.2761
STUDENT ATTENDS 81st SESSION OF MISSOURI BOYS STATE
(WARRENSBURG, MO) – Gabriel Matthew Haines from Salisbury High School was among 504 outstanding Missouri students to participate in the 81st session of The American Legion Boys State of Missouri. The program was held June 12-19 on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
Missouri Boys State is designed to educate and train young leaders in leadership, citizenship, and the fundamentals of government and politics. The student leaders, “citizens”, combine their knowledge and skills to build an entire operational state government in a single week which includes electing city, county, and state officials. Boys State is a pure democracy in that all citizens may vote and are eligible to hold office. Participants fully engage in activities during the eight-day program as they gain an understanding of government, learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and enhance their leadership and citizenship skills.
Haines was nominated by Salisbury High School to attend this once in a lifetime experience based on his excellence in leadership, citizenship, academics and character. Once nominated and accepted to participate, donations from sponsors fund the program fee. The American Legion Post 391 - Salisbury sponsored his participation in A Week to Shape a Lifetime - Missouri Boys State.
Haines (son of Jamie and Jason Haines) participates in the A+ Program, has earned an Academic Letter, was named to the Honor Roll, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Letterman’s Club, and Science Club. He serves as a class officer and on the Student Council and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. Haines also participates in football and track, is involved in his Church Youth Group, is a member of the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes, and is employed. At Missouri Boys State, Haines was a citizen of Whitfield City; a member of the Nationalist Party; and chose and attended the Legislative & Executive Policy School. He was elected to the House of Representatives and served as the City Clerk and as a Delegate to County Committee, Ward II. He helped his City place second in the City Athletic Competition and his County win recognition as the Model County.
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STUDENT ATTENDS 81st SESSION OF MISSOURI BOYS STATE
During Boys State and along with all citizens, Haines was involved in a wide variety of educational and recreational activities and interacted with both state and national-level speakers. The 2021 session speakers included: Jack Danforth - former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former United States Senator; Tishaura Jones - St. Louis Mayor; Howard Richards - former NFL player, CIA security staff, and Mizzou Tigers radio football analyst; Julian Castro - United States Presidential Candidate in 2020, the 16th
United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama, and former Mayor of San Antonio, Texas; Jay Ashcroft - Missouri Secretary of State; Mike Parson - Missouri Governor; and Herb Kohn - Senior Counsel at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Law Firm in Kansas City, former MBS Director and Dean of Counselors, and current Trustee – MBS Memorial Trust. MBS citizens also attended a live court case heard by the Missouri Court of Appeals – Western District of Missouri.
The Boys State staff is comprised of educational, legal, professional, and civic leaders who volunteer their time each year.
Students have the opportunity to participate in this nationally recognized program due to support from local sponsors. Sponsors are critical to the continued success of the program since students and their families are not allowed to pay any portion of the program fee.
Missouri Boys State is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a Missouri American Legion program. Organizations, businesses, and individuals interested in learning more about the program, becoming a sponsor, or making a donation are encouraged to contact the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at 660.429.2761.
Students who will be juniors during the 2021-2022 academic year and are interested in participating should contact their High School counselor and visit the Missouri Boys State website at www.moboysstate.org. The 2022 session will be held June 11-18. Informational presentations by a Boys State staff member may be requested by contacting Bettie Rusher at the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at 660.429.2761 or email bettie.rusher@moboysstate.org.
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