This article appeared in the Marietta Daily Journal on Friday, June 11, 1971.
Six upcoming Cobb County high school seniors were among 360 boys from around the state that moved into the capitol Friday morning and took over the government as part of the American Legion Boys State program.
Elections for state offices were held Thursday night by the boys who organized in 16 fictitious cities and four counties. None of the positions were won by Cobb County boys who are attending: David Dostall and Jimmy Foster of Marietta and Michael Ridings, Gary Rogers, Danny Hodge and David Hartin of Smyrna.
The top position of Governor was taken by Thom Thigpen of Savannah and Lieutenant Governor of Boys State is Roy Loyless of Blakely. The only Atlantan to fill a top slot was Willie Cheatham, who was elected Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.
Those elected visited in the offices they temporarily held Friday morning to learn what the responsibilities of each were. The other delegates to Boys State ran a mock legislature complete with the introduction of bills, discussion in committees and a vote on each.
Graduation ceremonies will be held Saturday morning at Woodward Academy in East Point where the boys have spent a very full week. When they arrived, each was assigned a home city of the 16 in the “state” and became members of either the Federalist or Nationalist parties. Early in the week they heard from a city manager and mayor, county manager and commissioner to learn the different ways in which city and county government can be run. Then they elected their own officials.
They have been addressed by Ben Smith, district attorney of the Cobb Circuit of the Superior Court, Brig. Gen. Mike Hendrix of the Selective Service System and Secretary of State Ben Fortson.
The American Legion paid for the week of lessons in government for the boys who were chosen after recommendation by their high school principal and local Legion commander.
They are to be outstanding representatives of their areas – in the upper-third of the class academically, demonstrate leadership and show an interest in politics and government.
