The American Legion Lester C. Rees Post 57 and Auxiliary Unit 57 have college and career opportunities they want local students to know about, including Boys State, Girls State, the Jim Willis Law Enforcement Career Camp Oregon, and the Oratorical Contest. The organization also offers opportunities for veterans to network and support their community.
Boys State is a summer leadership and governance opportunity that is worth points on a military academy application. It will be held from June 23 to 29 at Oregon State University. American Legion Post 57 already plans to sponsor one male student for the program. However, they wish to sponsor several candidates. Eligible applicants must have just completed their junior year and have at least one semester (or half a year) of high school remaining. Applicants must demonstrate the qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service to their school.
Learn more:
- Apply online.
- The application is due on May 17.
- There is a fee of $50 to participate, and Post 57 will cover the rest to sponsor an applicant. Contact Post 57 for details at 503-703-2757 or [email protected].
Girls State is a similar summer leadership program that will also be held from June 23 to 29 at OSU. It, too, adds points to a military academy application. Auxiliary Unit 57 already plans to sponsor one female student but is seeking several additional applicants to sponsor as well. Eligible applicants must have just completed their junior year, and girls with leadership qualities are encouraged to apply.
Learn more:
- Apply online.
- The application is due on May 15.
- There is a fee of $50 to participate, and Auxiliary Unit 57 will cover the rest of the costs to sponsor an applicant. Contact Post 57 for details at 503-703-2757 or [email protected].
Jim Willis Law Enforcement Career Camp Oregon is a one-week program offering law enforcement experience to youths. The camp is open to students ages 15 to 17 who have a recommendation from a teacher or another adult as well as sponsorship from their local American Legion post. Another way to look at it is a fun week at camp for $50 involving observation of SWAT teams and more.
Learn more:
- Apply online.
- The application is due on July 1.
- There is a $50 fee to participate, but Post 57 will sponsor the application and pay the remaining costs. Contact Post 57 for details at 503-703-2757 or [email protected].
The Oratorical Contest is a competition to develop young people’s knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution. The winner of the post-level contest receives a scholarship and advances to the next level of the competition: District (regional), Department (state level), and then national. Learn more:
- Read about it online. Request an application from Post 57: [email protected].
- The Post 57 competition will open again for applications in November.
- There is a $50 fee to participate, but Post 57 will sponsor the applicant by covering the remainder of the costs.
The American Legion’s four pillars are Youth, Defense, Americanism, and Veterans. So, in addition to the above activities, falling under Youth and Americanism, Post 57 also retires flags and holds the All Veterans Coffee from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at Nut Tree Ranch, 2902 E. Second St., Newberg.
Post 57 meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Chehalem Park & Recreation District office: 125 S. Elliott Road, Newberg. For questions about the local group, contact Post 57 Commander Gordon Kroemer at [email protected] or 503-701-4894
Want to support these programs? To donate to the local post, contact Post Adjutant Michael Speer at 503-703-2757 or [email protected].