FRANKFORT – Marshall County High School Senior Trace Colson was selected to serve as “Adjutant General” during this year’s annual American Legion Boys State training program held at the Wendell Ford Regional Training Center in Central City June 8th-12th.
The week-long training introduces rising high school senior boys to the workings of Kentucky government at the local, state, and federal levels and exposes them to the legislative process, government operations, guest speakers, and actual tours at different state government operations in Frankfort.
Colson joined approximately 80 other participants from around the state that attended the annual training and celebrated Boys State’s 75th anniversary. Special sessions were held at the historic “old state capitol” in Frankfort with several guest speakers including Secretary of State Allison Grimes, Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham, State Senator Max Wise, representatives from the Kentucky State Police, Senator Rand Paul’s field representative Whitney Meadows, and others including Brian Roy on behalf of county elected officials and the Kentucky Association of Counties.
While serving as the class “Adjutant General,” Colson had the opportunity to actually meet and spend time with Kentucky’s’ Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini at the National Guard headquarters in Frankfort, and was escorted on a personal tour of the headquarters and the entire operations center by General Tonini’s staff.
Colson said, “The entire week of training was an awesome and eye-opening experience! The personal tour of the National Guard Center was very informative and exciting and actually getting to meet with General Tonini was a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget!”
Boys State Director, Dr. Pete Trzop complimented Colson for his determined effort and personal contributions throughout the program. He also complimented all of the attendees for their enthusiasm and willingness to work together to successfully complete a very long and stress-filled week of informative and life-changing training that will certainly benefit each of them throughout the course of their lifetime!
Dr. Trzop concluded by personally thanking American Legion Post 236 in Calvert City for sponsoring Trace Colson to attend this year’s session and encouraged other eligible high school seniors to apply to attend the Boys State program in the future.