The American Legion Post 89 and its Auxiliary are sponsoring representatives for the 2017 Boys & Girls State.

Students are selected by counselors and faculty from Pella High School. Representatives this year are Thomas Gauley, Annika Pingel and Elise Beukelman. All three will be seniors this fall. On June 11-16, approximately 500 high school boys will gather at Camp Dodge in Johnston for Boys State. During the week of June 18-23, approximately 300 high school girls will attend Girls State at Drake University in Des Moines.

These teenagers learn about government on a local, county and state level.

Knoxville Juniors Trevor Poundstone and Jeremiah Dilliner were extended the invitation from Conrad Nelson, the Boys State Coordinator for The American Legion Post 168 in Knoxville, as well.