MENDOTA - Seven Mendota High School students have been selected to attend this summer’s Boys State and Girls State programs. They include Sam Becker, Tony Aughengaugh and Francisco Romero, who will attend Boys State, and Gillian Pattermann, Brittany Menzel, Marie Barnickel and Cheyenne West, who will attend Girls State.

The 82^nd Annual Premier Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion, is designed to teach young men about voting and the election process in a democratic society. Over 750 11th grade boys from around the state will attend the week-long leadership seminar held at Eastern Illinois University in June.

Becker, son of John and Dr. Cynthia Becker of Mendota, is sponsored by the Mendota Lion’s Club; Aughenbaugh, son of Kevin and Denise Aughenbaugh of Mendota is sponsored by the Mendota Kiwanis Club; and Romero, son of Javier and Laura Romero of Mendota is sponsored by the American Legion.

The 77^th Annual Illini Girls State will also take place at Eastern Illinois University in June. The program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, is designed to teach young women to understand and appreciate their roles as United States citizens. Approximately 600 11th grade girls from around the state will attend the week-long leadership seminar.

Pattermann, daughter Jodi Pattermann of Mendota is sponsored by the Mendota Kiwanis Club; Menzel, daughter of Tom and Kim Menzel of Compton is sponsored by the American Legion; Barnickel, daughter of Gale and Christina Barnickel of Compton is sponsored by Mendota Rotary Club; and West, daughter of Gary and Nicole West of Mendota is sponsored by the VFW Post 4079 Auxiliary.

In addition, the Mendota Elks Lodge is providing financial assistance for transportation to and from both events.