As top achievers in their class, three Richfield Spring High School seniors were selected to attend this year’s Boys State event, hosted by the American Legion. Dan Zurmuhlen, Nick Sovocool and Kevin Spytko spent a week at the Morrisville gathering as guests of the American Legion, learning about government, politics and life. Marissa Ames was selected to serve as the Girls State representative, which is a similar but separate program hosted by the American Legion. According to John Sovocool, a member of the American Legion, “the boys were selected from six candidates this year. The candidates are based on their example of good morals, academic achievements, extra curricular activities within the school system and community, and their leadership potential.” Richfield Springs High School principal Penny Harrington provided the organization with a list of potential candidates, all of whom must be juniors who have completed their 11th year and advancing to their senior year, and who are positioned academically in the top half of their class. A panel of legionnaires then interviewed each boy and made their selection, Sovocool said. Spytko, who serves on the student council as class representative, said he learned a lot about “self discipline, how to be a good citizen and about government in general” during his week at Boys State. Speakers who are serving in public positions lectured throughout the week, Zurmuhlen said. “It was interesting to hear (what) politicians do to serve the community.” Very involved in the music and arts, Zurmuhlen said he doesn’t see himself entering the political arena “as a full time politician.” He did say he could see himself becoming more involved in politics as a result of this event. President of his class, the younger Sovocool also participates in “a lot of sports,” while not attending to his studies. Of Boys State, he said, “I had a lot of fun, met a lot of friends, learned how to march and make a bed.” However well-made his bed was, he joked, it wasn’t as perfect as Spytko’s, who could bounce a quarter off his, just about, the boys joked. During Boys State, Sovocool was chosen as one of 94 state representatives, which earned him a $1,000 scholarship. With this status he is now a finalist, and if chosen by the Legion in September, could win a $20,000 college scholarship. “It was an eye opener just to get a better perspective on politics in general and how to make a better impact on local politics,” Zurmuhlen said. |