Georgia Boys State Program finds new home at RMA

GAINESVILLE - Riverside Military Academy will begin hosting the Georgia Boys State summer program this year.

This was one result of a visit to the campus last November by Georgia Boys State Director Phil Youngblood and the program's Dean, Bob Beauchamp.

Youngblood and Beauchamp were joined at lunch by RMA cadets who attended Boys State in their respective home states during the 2013 Summer Session. Cadets Jacob Deem, James Hitt, Connor Schiro, and Harrison Summerour attended Georgia Boys State. John-Mark MacFarlane attended in Massachusetts and Pearce Sauls attended in Texas.

Riverside faculty members who are Boys State alumni include Commandant of Cadets Kevin Jarrard and teachers Andy Jobson and Col. Robert Cagle.

The Boys State program was founded by the American Legion in 1935. It's a comprehensive week-long leadership action course in state and local government for rising male seniors who qualify for this selective program. A number of Boys State graduates have been elected to public office.

"The American Legion Boys State Program is the elite Program for youth, presented by The American Legion. As part of that National Program, we are confident that the Georgia Boys State Program is the premier governmental program for approximately 400 of Georgia's finest," Youngblood said.

Georgia Boys State delegates are presented with instruction on Georgia political history, the law and court system, and parliamentary procedure. They have hands-on opportunities to learn the political process by organizing a mythical 51st state in which each level of government is managed by peer-elected representatives. The Boys State summer session also includes a visitation day by representatives from a variety of colleges and universities.

"2014 will mark our first year partnering with Riverside Military Academy. Georgia Boys State is excited about this partnership. We look forward to our experience in Gainesville," said Youngblood.

The Department of Georgia Boys State 2014 summer session will be held on the Riverside campus June 15-21. Visit to learn more about the Georgia program or visit www.boysandgirlsstate.org to find a program by state.