SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – Sun Prairie High School has selected JT Ruffin as a 2014 representative to the 74rd session of Badger Boys State.
Badger Boys State is a youth leadership program sponsored by the Wisconsin American Legion designed to educate youth in the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship. The program has been developed on the fundamental principle that young people learn best by actively participating in the process. As much as possible, the mechanics of government in Badger Boys State are modeled after Wisconsin’s own government at the city, county and state level.
JT Ruffin of Sun Prairie, son of Jerry M. and Marilyn Ruffin, is a junior at Sun Prairie High School, an honor roll student and actively involved as a starting forward and co-team captain of Varsity Boys Basketball Team as well as represented Sun Prairie at 2013 MSAN Conference at UMASS (Minority Student Achievement Network).
“I look forward to conversing and interacting with leaders, like me, who have high morals, goals, hopes and dreams for the betterment of tomorrow’s future,” said JT Ruffin.
Badger Boy State representatives are selected by local high schools throughout Wisconsin based on their qualifications as good students, exhibiting strong leadership skills and in the top third of their class. Previous Badger Boys State graduates are prominent today as leaders in public office, business and the armed forces.
The week-long Badger Boys State program began on June 14 in Ripon, Wis. The annual program brings together approximately 850 high school students from across Wisconsin to create a 51st state known as Badger Boys State.
Badger Boys State participants develop their own party platforms, pass local ordinances and utilize a state patrol and judicial system to enforce the laws and constitution of the 51st state. Additionally, citizens choose from a series of schools of instruction —ranging from law school and peace officer school, to schools on lobbying and campaign strategies. Badger Boys State participants also have an opportunity to participate in a variety of team sports that compete throughout the week, a band and choir, Color Guard, and write for the Badger Bugle Citizen, the official newspaper of Badger Boys State.
For more information on the program and follow the session, go to http://badgerboysstate.com/
