Two local youths recently participated in the American Legion Boys State of Missouri on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
Dominic Anthony Franceschelli of Westminster Christian Academy and Erich Justin Kaletka of Mehlville Senior High School were selected based on their leadership, citizenship, academics and character as juniors at their respective schools, according to a news release.
Boys State is a pure democracy in that all citizens may vote and are eligible to hold office. The program is designed to educate and train Missouri’s young leaders in functional citizenship, leadership and government. Nearly 1,000 student leaders build an entire state government in a single week, the release stated.
Franceschelli’s accomplishments, positions held and awards earned at Missouri Boys State include: citizen of Richardson City; member of the Federalist Party; city treasurer; county treasurer; city party secretary; ward committeeman, Ward II; Color Guard; and tax collector. He attended Campaigning and Political Operations School while participating in Boys State.
Kaletka’s accomplishments, positions held and awards earned at Missouri Boys State include: citizen of Lewis City; member of the Federalist Party; City Council, Ward III; assistant city clerk; city party chairman; ward committeeman, Ward II; attorney; and public defender. He attended Law School while participating in Boys State.
Franceschelli, son of Bob and Bibi Franceschelli of Concord, was sponsored by 40/8 Voiture 448-Florissant.
Kaletka, son of Missy and Eric Kaletka of south county, was sponsored by Parag Shah.
Sponsors afford the opportunity for students to participate in this nationally recognized program and are critical to its continued success, the release stated.
Organizations, businesses and individuals interested in becoming a sponsor can contact the Missouri Boys State Headquarters at (877) 342-5627.
The entire Boys State staff is comprised of educational, legal, professional and civic leaders who volunteer their time each year. Missouri Boys State is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a Missouri American Legion program.
Students who will be juniors during the 2013-2014 academic year and are interested in attending should contact their high school counselor or visit the Missouri Boys State website at
, according to the release.
The 2014 session will take place from June 14 to June 21.
In-school informational presentations by a Boys State staff member are available by contacting the Missouri Boys State Headquarters by telephone or by email at bettie.rusher@moboysstate.org.