10 Suffolk men elected to Boys State posts

Staff Report

While Lakeland High’s James Edward Watson being tapped as governor was the big local story last week out of the American Legion Boys State of Virginia, 10 of the 12 young Suffolk men who attended were also elected to office.

According to John R. Bright of local American Legion Post #57, 12 Suffolk youths attended from Lakeland, Nansemond River, Kings Fork high schools and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

&uot;This was a great group,&uot; Bright said. &uot;This is the first time we’ve had a governor from Suffolk in 40 years.&uot;

Bright thanked local Ruritan clubs for sponsoring the attendees. The American Legion paid for transportation to Liberty University in Lynchburg, where the event was held.

Watson, 17, is the son of Felicia Renea Watson and was sponsored by the school and American Legion Post #57.

Other local attendees included:

n Andrew Wellington Simonson, 18, King’s Fork High School. He is the son of Daniel and Sarena Simonson and was elected city clerk. He was sponsored by the Chuckatuck Ruritan Club.

Timothy Howard Dugan, 17, King’s Fork High School. He is the son of Kenneth and Joyce Dugan and was sponsored by the Eastover-Wilroy and Liberty Springs Ruritan clubs. He was elected chairman of his city electoral board.

Jason Isaac Wadley, 16, Nansemond River High School. He is the son of Fred and Sharon Wadley and was sponsored by the school and the Bennetts Creek Ruritan Club. He was elected state Nationalist party chairman.

Bryan Joseph Van Der Linden, 16, Nansemond River High School. He is the son of Joanne and David Taylor and was sponsored by the King’s Fork Ruritan Club. He was elected Secretary of the State Board of Elections.

Kenneth Ray Nance, 17, Nansemond River High School. He is the son

of Michelle Frazier and was sponsored by the Driver Ruritan Club. He was elected the city Commissioner of the Revenue.

Denis Garrett Cole, 17, Nansemond River High School. He is the son of Denis and Janine Garrett and was sponsored by the Suffolk Rotary Club.

Joseph DiRenzo IV, 16, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. He is the son of Joseph and Karen DiRenzo III and was sponsored by the Magnolia Ruritan Club. He was elected to the Virginia State Senate.

Christopher James Beacham, 17, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Beacham of Portsmouth and was sponsored by the Bethelehem Ruritan Club. He was elected City Chaplain.

Pierson Mark Eaves, 18, Lakeland High School. He is the son of Cindy and Leroy Eaves and was sponsored by the Cypress Ruritan Club. He was elected to the Virginia State Senate and Chaplain of the Senate.

John Bertrand Rawls, 17, Lakeland High School. He is the son of Kathy and David Rawls and was sponsored by the Holland Ruritan Club.

Crishum Scott Smith, 17, Lakeland High School. He is the son of Jaunita Smith and was sponsored by the Suffolk Ruritan Club. He was elected to the House of Delegates.