2 MPCHS boys chosen going to Hawkeye Boys State

Yorke Prough is honored to be chosen as one of two Mt. Pleasant Community High School students to attend the Iowa American Legion Hawkeye Boys State this summer.

'Honestly, it felt really great,” Prough said. 'I wasn't expecting to get in. It was pretty cool.”

The Iowa American Legion Hawkeye Boys State is a training program in citizenship and democracy. The Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post 58 selects two boys from MPCHS every year and covers the cost of the program.

Hawkeye Boys State is a six day, hands on experience in the operation of democracy, the organization of political parties and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Iowa government, according to ialegion.org. Attendees will be tested in solving problems and working effectively with a team.

'Young men will learn about city, country and state government more in one week than they would in an entire semester of high school,” according to ialegion.org.

Guest speakers include past national commander of The American Legion David Rehbein and former director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Bernie Saggau. Iowa government leaders also attend each year to offer their advice.

Prough received a letter in December from Post 58, saying he was being considered for Hawkeye Boys State. Although Prough was intrigued by the opportunity, he said he was surprised when they texted him in January to tell him he was selected.

'It sounds like a high honor,” Prough said. 'I think it will look really good on my resume. It will be great to have that knowledge ... I'll be old enough to vote soon, so it will be good to have that understanding of what I'm voting for and why.”

Prough said summers can be long and boring, and he is looking forward to spending a week away from home at Camp Dodge in Johnston.

Nick McCormick is the other MPCHS junior chosen to attend Hawkeye Boys State. He said he isn't interested in ever running for a government position; however, he thinks it's important to learn and understand how government works.

'I'm looking forward to learning about how I make a difference,” McCormick said.

McCormick thinks the information will be important in knowing how to be a good citizen.

Post 58 will be hosting a fundraiser to help with the expenses of sending Prough and McCormick to Hawkeye Boys State. Post 58 commander Dean King said the cost of the program is rising, and they hope to continue sending boys to Hawkeye Boys State every year.

The fundraiser is Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall at 106 N. Jackson Street. They will be accepting a free will donation. A chili and salad supper will be served.