On Aug. 14, Holley-Riddle Post 21 in The Colony, Texas, hosted a reception honoring the 2025 graduates of the Boys State and Girls State programs, along with their families, city officials and sponsors of the Clyde Ding Memorial Golf Tournament - the fundraiser that makes these opportunities possible. Post 21 proudly sponsored 12 young men and two young women this year.
After receiving their medals, each graduate shared reflections:
• Maura Casey: “After this amazing week at Texas Bluebonnet Girls State, I feel even more motivated to keep up with everything going on in our world.”
• Nathan Good: “I got a lot of public speaking experience. Turning 18 soon, I took away knowledge about our government that will help me make informed decisions as a voter.”
• Ben Mirsky: “I learned about my role in government and how I can affect my local community. It was life-changing.”
• Andrew Taylor: “I applied for a government position and didn’t get it. But it taught me to keep trying - and I eventually became a county state delegate, which showed me what I can do.”
The evening emphasized both the students’ achievements and the community support behind them. Mayor Richard Boyer praised the program, noting how it helps youth understand decision-making at the local and state level. “This is another example of what The American Legion does for those who served while giving back to the youth in our community,” he said. A longtime golf tournament supporter, Boyer added he hopes his daughter will attend Girls State in the future.
Sponsors also expressed pride in the program’s impact. Honest-1 Auto Care owners Robin Mainer and Kimera Shepler sat with Andrew Taylor to hear his experiences. “It gave me a better appreciation for this program and what it teaches,” Robin said. “Talking with Andrew makes us proud to be sponsors.”
Parents echoed these sentiments, sharing how they witnessed noticeable growth in their children’s confidence, maturity and civic responsibility.
Commander Mary Garcia closed the program by presenting Legionnaires Dick Ensweiler, Kirk Varga and Mark Nelson with Boys State challenge coins in recognition of their yearlong work recruiting, fundraising and mentoring students.
Holley-Riddle Post 21 remains committed to investing in the future of youth, instilling civic responsibility and fostering tomorrow’s leaders.