WADE ELECTED MAYOR OF 'PERSHING CITY'

Mark Wade, son of Wesley and Debra Wade of Jackson, recently returned from the 61st annual session of American Legion Boys State held at CMSU, Warrensburg. After having been recognized as an outstanding student leader and interviewed by members of American Legion, Wade was selected to attend the week-long practical program dealing with how government works.

The program is structured so that students run the state, county, and city government operations on a daily basis. The week's theme was "Democracy Depends on Me." Wade, as a member of the Federalist Party, was elected mayor of Pershing City.

He was one of only 16 mayors elected from nearly 1,000 boys who attended. He also served as commmitteeman for Ward III of Pershing City. He helped put together a complete state government in a week.

Wade said he supervised the city's operation, established a budget, made appointment of officials, established salaries, conducted council meetings, and submitted reports to the governor. One major project was the development of a model city park, and Wade said Pershing City's park was selected as best out of the 16 cities.

Wade took a class, Goverment Executive and Campaigning School, which he said helped him perform his duties as mayor. His performance during the week was commended by the counselor, Matt Damon, as the best of any mayor with whom he had worked in past Boys State programs.

Wade called it the best week of his life and said that it will shape the rest of his life in a positive manner. He commends the American Legion for providing such an opportunity to young men. He discovered there is a lot of hard work in running a city and other government functions.

Wade will be a senior in Jackson High this fall. He is an A-Honor Roll student who participates in body-building, wrestling, football, chamber choir, and for two years has performed in the annual Pop Concert. He belongs to (FBLA) Future Business Leaders, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, French Club, and is historian for JAM (motivators who volunteer their time to work with younger students about the dangers of drugs and substance abuse).

He attends Cape Bible Chapel and has been active in its youth programs.