MCHS four in legion program

By Jane DeGeorge
Eagle Reporter
Published: May 29, 2008

Madison County’s future leaders are set to attend a statewide conference to hone their diplomacy skills.

Madison American Legion Post 157 has selected Madison County High School juniors Joseph Adams Jr., Michael Butters Jr., Julie Eaheart and Sara-Margaret Graves, to attend the 2008 Virginia Boys and Girls State conferences this summer.

“A lot of [the program] is learning about state and local governments and the responsibilities of citizens and public officials,” said Post Commander Gerry Stephenson, who attended Boys State in Nebraska as a teenager. “It’s a furthering of what they have already learned in school.”

The programs were first started to educate students about how local and state governments operate, including the different roles residents’ play within their communities, according to an American Legion news release. During the conference, participants establish their own “cities” and “states” and must run for each public office within these governments.

The Madison County students who were nominated to participate this year are the top students within their class, according to Stephenson. The students were chosen for demonstrating leadership, scholarship, honor, loyalty and service to the school, according to the news release. 

One of the participants, Joseph Adams Jr., is the son of Joseph and Robin Adams of Radiant. Joseph is involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including football, baseball, band and choir, while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average.

The other Boys State participant from Madison County, Michael Butters Jr., is the son of Mike and Ellen Butters of Madison. Michael – whose grade point average is 3.4 – plays soccer and football, participates in cross-country and also enjoys Boy Scouts, piano, and lifeguarding.

Julie Eaheart, one of the students selected for Girls State, is the daughter of Steve and Katrina Eaheart of Madison. Julie, who participates in gymnastics outside of school, is the MCHS junior class vice president, the editor of the student newspaper, a varsity cheerleader, a member of the track team and maintains a 4.4 grade point average.

Joining Julie at Girls State is Sara-Margaret Graves, the daughter of Keith and Susan Graves of Reva. Sara-Margaret – whose grade point average is 4.1 – plays soccer, is a member of the concert, marching and jazz bands and has been the treasurer of her class for two years. She has also volunteered as a 4-H camp counselor and works with her church’s youth group.

Each year, two participants from the Boys State and Girls State programs – which are conducted in separate parts of Virginia – are chosen to attend the nationwide version of these conferences in the Washington D.C.-area.

For information, contact Madison American Legion Post 157 Post Commander Gerry Stephenson at (540) 948-5019.