Lt. Governor Northam meets with Boys State participants

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam visited the nearly 650 young men of Virginia Boys State at Radford University on June 24. Northam brought with him a message for attendees about the importance of service to their communities and their Commonwealth.

"I want you all to establish careers and be successful, but also to always remember to give back," Northam said. "Always remember that there are people around you that are less fortunate…Give back to your communities as you live your life."

This is the third year that Radford University has hosted Boys State, a unique opportunity where participants - exemplary high school juniors selected by Virginia's American Legion posts to attend on the strength of their academics, leadership abilities and citizenship - spend their week learning about American civic principles and participating in a simulation of local and state government. In many cases, expenses of attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, local business or other community-based organization.