From June 9-14, over 50 McIntosh students attended Boys and Girls State at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. Students participated in the week-long program by participating in mock political parties and elections.  Additionally, the students conducted legislative sessions to debate, vote and pass bills forward to Girls or Boys Nation in Washington D.C. The week helped students develop leadership, educated them about our government system and promoted a desire to maintain our democracy.

Fayette County students attended the Girls and Boys State Tribute Night at the American Legion Post 105 meeting on Monday, September 9 as a way to thank the American Legion Auxiliary for raising the funds to send every student to Girls and Boys State without cost. Out of the 19 students at the event, 11 were students from McIntosh.

McIntosh attendees included Airyn Nash, Erika Berg, Kyle Bligen, Akosa Erine, Monica Schwingshakl, Jenson Lowry, Madison Bunker, Holley Gibbs, Alex Rojas, Rebekah Whittington, MacKenzie McGraw and Mikayla Dubreuil.

Mr. Dan Lane, our previous registrar, attended the event, as did McIntosh counselor Ms. Perrin, McIntosh’s newest assistant principal Ms. Stacey Smith and Fayette County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. John Barrow.

After a dinner made by members of Post 105, the students individually introduced themselves and spoke of their experiences at Boys or Girls State. In particular, students discussed what offices they ran for or were elected for. Notably, all 11 students at the dinner had been elected into city, county or state positions, and MacKenzie McGraw had her bill sent to Girls State in Washington D.C. Students spoke of the lessons they learned that will carry with them for life.

All students remarked that they were grateful for the opportunity to learn more about our political system and government, to develop leadership skills and to learn more about our American traditions.