UCHS students attending Boys State, Girls State Posted: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 9:18 pm
Rising seniors at Union City High School are spending this week with girls from across the state to gain hands-on experience in government through American Legion Auxiliary’s Volunteer Girls State program.
Male members of the class of 2011 who were selected to take part in American Legion Boys State spent last week on campus at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.
The 64th session of Girls State began on Sunday at Lipscomb University in Nashville. The attendees form and run a “mock” government by “meeting, living and working with other young female leaders from across the state,” according to the website. The week-long program is a non-partisan, non-political attempt to teach and instill a love of God and country by placing participants in a dozen “cities” and dividing them into two political parties. The young women also have the opportunity to run for or be appointed to public offices on the city, county and state level. Their efforts encompass petitioning, giving speeches, addressing real-life issues that affect people at the level of office the candidate is seeking as well as interacting with “constituents.”
The girls learn leadership skills, history and civics and also enjoy participation in Girls’ State Olympics, Fast Song and Jeopardy.
The group of young women who best demonstrate an ability to work in harmony toward excellence are named “Best City.”
Gov. Phil Bredeson ad-dressed the girls Tuesday and other special guest speakers are scheduled daily.
Delegates to the 2010 experience from Union City High School include Taylor Edwards, daughter of George and Tammie Edwards of Union City; and Hannah Jackson, daughter of Lane and Leah Jackson of Union City. Their alternates are Laura Sanchez, daughter of Salomon Sanchez and Hariberta Sanchez of Union City; and Sarah Riley, daughter of Donna and Shea Riley of Union City.
Miss Edwards is a member of Beta Club, Key Club, DECA Club, Junior Civitan and Spanish Club. She has been a member of the UCHS band and color- guard, as well as the cheerleading squad.
She has been a Kiwanis Club Student of the Month and a member of Obion County Youth Leadership. Miss Edwards has been a member of the Top Ten and on the honor roll throughout her high school career.
Miss Jackson has been a member of the softball team, football cheerleading squad, Junior Civitan, Key Club, Spanish Club, Symphonic Band, color- guard, Student Congress on Policies in Education and Obion County Youth Leadership.
She has received honors for English and has had perfect attendance throughout high school. Miss Jackson was also elected football homecoming junior maid. She is an active member of Second Baptist Church in Union City.
Miss Sanchez is a member of FCCLA, DECA and the Art Club. She is a Top Ten student, has been named a Kiwanis Club Student of the Month and has had perfect attendance. She is also a member of her church choir.
Miss Riley is a member of the UCHS band and is a section leader. She is also a member of the cheerleading squad, Spanish Club, Beta Club, DECA, Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America.
She is a Top Ten student and earned Student Excel honors in Personal Finance. Miss Riley has been named a Kiwanis Club Student of the Month and a basketball homecoming maid.
Boys State
Boys State is a participatory program of government instruction for high school juniors. Each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.
Legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs were all part of the hands-on program that closely mirrors Girls State.
Representing UCHS at Boys State were Trey Maddox, son of Shirley Carter of Union City; and Chase Bowling, son of Darren and Dawn Bowling of Union City. Their alternates were Matthew Keathley, son Bryan and Angela Keathley of Union City; and Brady Tidwell, son of Melynda and Chris Tidwell of Union City.
Maddox is a member of the Beta Club, FCCLA, FCA and the football team. He is a Top Ten scholar and has received All District recognition in football.
He is a member of Brown Chapel AME Church, volunteers at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Tennessee-Union City and helps with the Special Olympics. He was selected to take part in the Rotary Club trip to Europe this month.
Bowling is a member of FCA and Beta Club, where he serves as activities director. He is on the football team and was chosen as freshman MVP and The Messenger Player of the Week twice. He is a member of the track team and received seventh place in state for the discus. He has also been a member of the baseball team.
He has been named a Kiwanis Club Student of the Month and received Student Excel honors in Algebra I, Algebra II, Spanish II and Honors Chemistry. Bowling is on the honor roll and in the academic Top Ten. He is also participating in the Rotary Club travel program.
Bowling has been involved in painting the UCHS field house, volunteering with Special Olympics, FCA’s “Build A Well” Project and Beta Club’s Canned Food Drive.
Keathley has been a member of the both the football and basketball teams. He is currently a member of the baseball team, Key Club, TSA Club, FCA and Beta Club. He has served as class vice president since his freshman year.
He has been selected to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin Math Competition and is in the academic Top Ten. He was chosen Key Club Beau and Junior Class Beau.
A member of Second Baptist Church, he has been active with Chimes for Charity and the Thanksgiving Feeding of the 5,000.
Tidwell has been a member of the football team. He is currently a member of the baseball team, Beta Club, Key Club, DECA Club, Skills USA and the UCHS marching band.
He has served as a class officer during his sophomore and junior years. He is in the academic Top Ten, has earned Student Excel honors and has competed in the UTM Math Competition.
He is an active member of Second Baptist Church.
Published in The Messenger 6.9.10 , |
