On September 11, 2024, American Legion Post 295 proudly hosted its annual Boys and Girls State Awards Dinner, a cherished tradition celebrating youth leadership and civic engagement. This year’s event honored outstanding students from Flint Hill, Fresta Valley Christian, Lightridge, Pope John Paul VI, Wakefield, and Freedom High Schools who participated in the Boys and Girls State programs.
The highlight of the evening was hearing directly from the delegates, who shared personal stories and insights gained during their time at Boys and Girls State. They spoke passionately about the leadership skills they developed, their deeper understanding of civic responsibility, and the bonds they formed with fellow delegates. For many, it was their first experience speaking in front of an audience, and they impressed everyone with their poise and confidence.
After a rigorous interview process in April, which started with over 60 applicants, Post 295 was proud to have sent fourteen exceptional boys and seven remarkable girls to this year’s programs, which took place in late June at Longwood University (Girls State) and Radford University (Boys State). The Awards Dinner was an opportunity for all involved—parents, delegates, school counselors, Legionnaires, and sponsors—to celebrate the students’ accomplishments, recognize their dedication, and express gratitude to those who supported them throughout the process.
The evening was filled with fellowship and pride as we reflected on the bright future these young leaders represent. The program opened with remarks from Jennifer Lowe, American Legion of Virginia Auxiliary Girls State Coordinator; Bob Brady, Past Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of Virginia; and District 16 Vice Commander John Moliere. The highlight of the evening was the speeches delivered by each of the delegates. Following the speeches, sponsors were recognized with certificates of appreciation.
Commander Nickelson then introduced Cheryl Hutchinson, Senior Aide to Little River District Supervisor Laura TeKrony, who presented three signed resolutions from Loudoun County to Legionnaires John Moliere, Gerry McCluer, and Ron Lang, honoring their exceptional contributions to the youth programs. Earlier in the year, on July 16, 2024, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors recognized Middleburg American Legion Post 295 with a resolution of commendation for its exemplary service to the community since 1946, particularly for its dedication to veterans and young people. Three of our Boys and Girls State delegates—Gianna Maynard, Logan Thompson, and Roman Iavarone—were invited to speak about their experiences in front of the Supervisors. The evening concluded with a powerful speech, “We the People,” by Post 295’s 2024 Oratorical Contest winner and Department of Virginia Oratorical Runner-Up, Helena Hosseini, bringing the delighted crowd to their feet.
As a Post, we remain committed to supporting programs like Boys and Girls State, which play a crucial role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The success of this event reaffirmed our mission to invest in our youth and inspire active citizenship within our community. We are grateful to our delegates, their families, and our sponsors for making this incredible evening possible, and we look forward to continuing our tradition of fostering the next generation of civic-minded citizens.