Covington County was well represented at the 73rd annual American Legion Alabama Boys State, with 11 local participants.

Boys State is a leadership program for young men who have completed t heir junior year of high school and are expected to be campus leaders during their senior year. It provides delegates with a working knowledge of how our government functions on the city, county and state levels. Acceptance into Alabama Boys State is a privilege and granted by invitation only. Delegates are selected by their school faculty and community leaders.

Alabama Boys State is sponsored by the American Legion and is directed by the retired Judge Pete Johnson of Birmingham. The assistant directors are Judge Joel Laird of Anniston and Ted Copland of Pickensville.

Local 2010 delegates and their activities follow.

Armon Momenpour aided in the passage of Boys State legislation through his efforts as a lobbyist. He is the son of Sarah and George Momenpour and a student at Andalusia High School.

Garrett Sasser learned about emerging technologies and opportunities in the engineering and computer science fields. He is the son of Margaret Ballard and Doug Sasser and a student at Andalusia High School.

Jonathan Weaver learned about opportunities in the medical and healthcare fields. He is the son of Lynn and Frankie Dubose and a student at Red Level High School.

Drew Doster learned about the past and future of aerospace in the state of Alabama and visited an operational F-16 squadron at Dannley Field in Montgomery. He is the son of Billy and Pam Doster and a student at Andalusia High School.

Dilan Manring participated in emergency preparedness training exercises. He is the son of Susan and Maynard Manring and a student at Andalusia High School.

Vincent McNemar studied legal concepts and applied them by helping to draft a new constitution for the state of Alabama. He is the son of Mary and Vincent McNemar and a student at Red Level High School.

Millard McWhorter was elected to the Senate, where he wrote and debated bills of importance to all Alabama citizens. He is the son of Debra and Millard McWhorter and a student at Andalusia High School.

John Anderson learned about agri-business and economic development strategies for the future of Alabama. He is the son of Curtis and Valerie Anderson and a student at Florala High School.

Matthew Ball was elected to the House of Representatives where he wrote and debated bills of importance to all Alabamians. He is the son of Keith and Shannon Ball and a student at Opp High School.

Chris Bowman learned about opportunities in the medical and healthcare fields He is the son of Chris and Donna Bowman and a student at Red Level School.

Justin Dooley developed a plan for the recruitment of an economic development project for his Boys State county. He is the son of Mark and Shelly Dooley and a student at Andalusia High School.