Twenty-four Limestone County high school juniors in June will attend Boys and Girls State at the campuses of the University of Alabama and Troy State University, respectively.

They and other youths from across the state will learn how city, county, and state government functions in Alabama.

Some will come home with scholarship awards or opportunities to apply for scholarships, and some will be offered the opportunity to participate at Boys and Girls Nation.

State leaders will address the groups and they will attend instructional periods intended to improve their leadership skills.

This is the 75th year, or Diamond Anniversary, of Boys State in Alabama, which is a program of The American Legion. 

Fifteen Limestone County boys will attend the program at Tuscaloosa, under the directorship of Judge O.L. Johnson of Birmingham, his 50th year to direct the Boys State program.

Girls State in Alabama enters its 66th year in 2012.

American Legion Post 49 and the Ladies Auxiliary Unit hosted the 2012 boys and girls delegates and their parents on May 21 at an orientation and pizza party at the Post Home on Cloverleaf Drive. Previous year participants Justin Beasley, Athens High School, and Haley Lewter, Ardmore High School, and now attending Calhoun Community College, told the high school juniors what to expect and how to get the maximum out of the experience.

Yancey Mitchell of Ardmore, who has been a counselor at Boys State for many years, also gave advice. Mitchell's assigned group at Boys State has received first-place honors in nine of the last 11 years.

Holly Hollman, communications director for the city of Athens, spoke to the group about the importance of the opportunity that awaits them.

Post 49 Coordinator, Bob Borden, and Auxiliary Coordinators Mary Duncan and Ruby McCartney all expressed satisfaction with the orientation and pizza party and the quality of the young people participating in this year's program.

"We have another really fine group of young people, and we are certainly pleased that there are 15 boys and nine girls who will be attending this year," Borden said.

Boys and Girls State will be conducted June 10-16.