LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman will again highlight the 53rd annual convocation of American Legion Jersey Boys State when she addresses its 793 high school participants in Rider University's Alumni Gymnasium on Thursday, June 25.

Whitman will be on hand at 2:15 p.m. to announce the result of the Boys State gubernatorial election and to give a speech before the assembled participants. This will be the eighth such visit to Boys State by New Jersey's top executive. Other legislators and political figures have also appeared as guest speakers this week, including William Schluter, John Adler, Leonard Lance, and James McGreevey.

The program, which began on Sunday, June 21, will conclude on Friday, June 26, with a public ceremony at 1:15 p.m. in Alumni Gym. The ceremony will honor scholarship recipients and recognize all individual and group accolades from this year's Boys State program. The ceremony will also feature a concert by the Boys State band.

American Legion Jersey Boys State, which is celebrating its 30th year on the Rider campus, selects top juniors from around the state based on their demonstrated leadership and outstanding scholastic achievement to participate in the week-long government and citizenship training program. Participants are grouped into mock cities and elect municipal, county, ans state officials, including a governor. Prior to the elections, they learn the operations of government via guest speakers and instructional sessions, and are invited to attend a college fair. They also have access to Rider's wide array of recreational facilities through a diverse sports and fitness program.

For more information on the program or schedule of events, contact George Sampson, president of the American Legion Jersey Boys State Corporation, at (609) 895-5446.