Jordan Topoleski, an incoming senior at Sylvania Southview High School, has been selected as a senator for American Legion Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C. area, July 21-28.
Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism. Topoleski was appointed the Governor’s Chief of Staff at Ohio Boys State which had roughly 1,200 participants. Topoleski will be joined by Weston Lindner of Lakota East High School in representing Ohio at Boys Nation.
At Sylvania Southview, Topoleski has served as Student Body President and Student Ambassador; other activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Freshman Orientation Leader, Dance for a Chance, student volunteer organization Interact, Books4Buddies, Speech and Debate and National Honor Society. Honors include the 2017 Youth Jefferson Award, Books4Buddies Extra Mile Service Award, Cougar of the Week, Pride of the Pack, Speech and Debate State Qualifier, Baseball and Basketball Team Captain and 12 straight quarters of High Honor Roll. Topoleski, a resident of Sylvania, hopes to attend Georgetown University as he considers becoming a lawyer or politician.
To arrange an interview with Topoleski, contact Andy Proffet at wproffet@legion.org.
About Boys Nation:
During their eight days at Boys Nation, 98 senators (two from each state with the exception of Hawaii) will learn from a hands-on approach how the U.S. Senate and the federal government function. Boys are divided into two political parties, the Federalists and the Nationalists, each of which conducts a party convention, sets a platform and nominates members for elected offices, including Boys Nation president, vice president and party leaders. Each senator will also write, introduce and debate a bill of his choosing before an appropriate Senate committee, and if successful at that level the legislation will be voted on by the whole Senate. Bills passing the Senate are later signed or vetoed by the Boys Nation president.
The young men will also have an opportunity to tour the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Korean War Memorial. They will also present a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, see the Iwo Jima Memorial and visit Capitol Hill for meetings with their state’s U.S. senators. They may have the opportunity to visit the Pentagon and the White House as well. In addition, delegates will attend a dinner at a nearby Legion post hosted by National Commander Charles Schmidt of Oregon.
This year’s crop of Boys Nation senators represent the finest of nearly 20,000 incoming seniors who attended the 49 annual Boys State programs. Famous Boys Nation alumni include former President Bill Clinton, actor Donal Logue, Govs. Chris Christie and Scott Walker, and Sens. Mike Lee and Tom Cotton. Notable Boys State alumni include Tom Brokaw, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Neil Armstrong, Roger Ebert and Justice Samuel Alito.