OXFORD — The Boys State program sponsored by the American Legions across the country and the Girls State program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliaries nationally every year since the late 1930s is now in the selection process for juniors from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School as well as juniors throughout the state.

The Boys State/Girls State program is one of the many youth service programs offered by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. The program selects and sends juniors to Thomas College (boys) and Husson college (girls) where the students learn first-hand how to run towns and pass bills in the legislative process mirroring Maine’s government model.

If a junior boy or girl has an interest in this area, he or she can get a brochure at their school’s guidance councilor’s office.

If parents think their child may be interested they can encourage them to put their name on the list. A teacher or guidance councilor can also recommend a student.

Once on the list, students will be interviewed as part of the selection process. Participating American Legions for OHCH include Harrison, Norway, South Paris and Oxford. Each includes towns where there is no post so all juniors will be included. Each post sends between two and four male delegates to the state level Boys State. Between the four posts, both Legion and Auxiliary use funds raised throughout the year to cover the cost of more than $5,000 to send these students to the program.

A number of colleges look for student nominations and/or attendance to the Boys State/Girls State and scholarships may be available to those students.