Steve Gilk was chosen as the representative to the American Legion Boys State Camp this summer.His alternate will be Troy Schmidt.
Both are juniors at Paynesville Area High School, where Steve is involved in basketball, cross country, and DECA. Outside of school, he is active in the Boy Scouts, where he has earned the honor of Eagle Scout, and in his church, St. Agnes in Roscoe. He also works part time as a cook.
Steve is the son of Don and Diane Gilk.
Troy participates in cross country, baseball, and the concert, marching, pep, and jazz bands. He also plays American Legion baseball in the summer. He is active at the Evangelical Free Church, including with their youth group. He also works as a cook, but will soon be starting a new job as a convenience store clerk.
Troy is the son of Gary and Mary Schmidt.
To be eligible for Boys State, you must be in the top half of your class academically. You must write an essay, up to 500 words, and you must interview with the local Boys State committee. The interviews were conducted last Wednesday after school.
Steve will be attending the camp at St. Olaf College in Northfield from June 13 to 19. Troy would replace Steve in an emergency.
Steve and Troy will split the other responsibilities. They will participate in the Memorial Day and Veteran's Day services and in the local graduation ceremony. At school, they will read the announcements each day and raise and lower the American flag before and after school each day.
Both said it is a prestigious honor to be chosen as a Boy Stater. "It's a goal I set for myself," said Steve.
"My brother was a Boy Stater," said Troy, "and he had fun."
Twenty-one junior boys were eligible for Boys State. Only three completed the application process. Steve wrote his essay on Governor Jesse Ventura, and Troy wrote his on whether the United States is trying to be the world's "policeman."
The Boys Staters are sponsored by the Paynesville American Legion Post #271.
Last year, there were no male representatives to Boys State Camp. This year, there will be no female representatives to Girls State Camp.