September 20, 2024 - The Comal ISD Board of Trustees recognized 34 students who participated in this summer’s Texas Boys State and Texas Girls State leadership programs during its board meeting Thursday, Sept. 19.
Annually, the American Legion and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary host rising high school seniors to participate in a six-day crash course on government by creating their own. They run for office, host elections, conduct committee hearings, draft legislation, pass legislation and more.
“Boys State changed my view on government by helping me understand all the processes behind it,” says Talan Fuller, a senior at Smithson Valley High School. “Every individual citizen’s role in government is equal if not greater than any one political leader.
“Boys State provided me with an in depth understanding of how our government works from the state level all the way down to the individual local and city government.”
During their time, students become immersed in the process of government and politics.
“Girls State changed my views on government and my role as a local citizen as to the choices that are sometimes made,” says Jordyn Martin, a senior at Canyon Lake High School. “A lot of problem solving is needed as well as more ideas.”
Martin, who plans to join the United State Air Force upon graduation, said she will be more involved in elections especially now, since she is 18 and can vote.
Fuller plans to attend college and study international business.
“I have always planned to vote, but now I understand what I’m voting for and the weight that my vote holds in government,” he says. “Upholding your civic responsibility of suffrage and understanding your rights is of almost equal importance to the other core subjects you learn in school.”
Representing Comal ISD in this summer’s programs were the following students:
Canyon High School
- Anna Benson
- David Dunn
- Tyson King
- Joseph Rodriguez
Canyon Lake High School
- Joshua Bryan
- Caleb Dunn
- Brenna Jackson
- Jordyn Martin
- Reagan Meinzer
- Eduardo Reyes
- Jae Torrez
- Jacob Tuckness
Davenport High School
- Adam Elza
- Raithe Fox
- Maeson Frazier
- Reese Hickingbottom
- Maelle Lister
- Christian Oden
- Atahliah Richardson
- Victoria Scott
- Connor Starjak
- Tatiana Sunstrom
Memorial Early College High School
- Everrett Garrett
- Jaxon Hurse
- Elizabeth Johnson
- Ethan Lopez
- Brooke Perry
Pieper High School
- Alina Anderson
- Cheyanne Pepper
- James Swain
- Reagan Turman
- Xavier Viera
Smithson Valley High School
- Andrew Bonner
- Talan Fuller
In order to attend Boys State and Girls State, students must have their fees sponsored. This year, the following organizations sponsored Comal ISD students.
- American Legion Post 179
- Neighbors Roofing LLC
- Blanco American Legion
- Garden Ridge Lions
- VFW Post 200
- Garden Ridge Center for Dentistry
- American Legion Women’s Auxiliary
- American Legion Post 10
- Walton F. Hoffmann American Legion Post 179, District 14
Photo Descriptions
-Boys State and Girls State participants and the Comal ISD Board of Trustees.
-Jordyn Martin from Canyon Lake High School.
-Talan Fuller from Smithson Valley High School and Bill Morrison from Walton F. Hoffmann Memorial American Legion Post 179.