Sikeston student earns recognition at Boys State

Fred Thornton IV

SIKESTON -- Fred Howell Thornton IV participated in The American Legion Boys State of Missouri June 14-21 on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

Thornton, who is the son of Fred and Nan Thornton of Sikeston, was selected on his leadership, citizenship, academics and character during his junior year at Sikeston High School. Thornton was sponsored by the Sikeston Kiwanis Club.

Boys State is a pure democracy in that all citizens may vote and are eligible to hold office. The program is designed to educate and train Missouri's young leaders in citizenship, leadership and government. Nearly 1,000 student leaders build an entire state government in a single week.

Thornton's accomplishments, positions held and awards earned at Missouri Boys State include: citizen of Crowder City; member of the Federalist Party; circuit court clerk; municipal court clerk; deputy circuit clerk; city party chairman; county committee vice-chairman; state central committee secretary; ward committeeman, Ward I; attorney; and Boys Nation nominee. Thornton attended law school while participating in Boys State.