After an extensive application and interview process, San Dieguito American Legion Post 416 announced that SDA junior Cole Gonzales was selected to be their representative to the 2017 California Boys State conference.

In addition to being able to participate in Boys State, Gonzales will give a speech this Memorial Day at the American Legion Post (located in downtown Encinitas).

Boys State is a week-long summer leadership program in which participants work together to make a model state government, designed to mirror that of California. Students are also able to promote different ideals and pass mock legislation that they think will be beneficial to the state. To be selected for this program, students must first apply to the office itself. Then, students go through an interview process, out of which one student per American Legion Post is selected for the program.

This year, Gonzales is “excited and ready” to begin the program. He hopes to be able to promote “libertarian ideals and show everyone the glory that is Ronald Reagan.”