By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A select group of well-rounded Union City High School juniors has been chosen as delegates for Boys and Girls State.
Kamia Cross and Olivia Tanner along with Carter Bondurant and Silas Petty were picked by school officials as the 2021 representatives of UCHS for the annual conferences that promote citizenship and leadership while also exploring the mechanics of American government and politics.
Both programs will be virtual this year – the boys’ held May 25-29 and the girls’ June 1-4.
Sara Ullrich and Sophie Theobald were named alternates for the girls’ honor, while Daniel Edwards and Kobe Terrell are the boys’ alternates.
The American Legion (AL) sponsors the boys’ program – having done so since 1935. The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) sponsors the girls’, with the first Girls State conducted in 1937.
Notable alumni of the Boys and Girls State programs include former President Bill Clinton, Tom Brokaw, astronaut Neil Armstrong, Garth Brooks, Nick Saban, former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, and former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, among others.
The Union City delegates are as follows:
Miss Cross is the daughter of Taquitta and Larry Cross Jr. She was a member of her class’s Top 10 in both her freshman and sophomore years and has also been named as a Kiwanis Student of the Month. She’s served as a class officer, too.
Kamia is a member of both the Beta and Key Clubs as well as the UCHS Color Guard.
She was chosen for the Rotary Club’s Washington, D.C., trip this summer.
Miss Tanner has served as the junior class president and has been a member of Top 10 for two years. She scored a “5” on the WHAP (World History Advanced Placement) test, has been recognized as a Kiwanis Student of the Month and placed second in the Aviation Art Contest.
Olivia has also been chosen as a school representative for the State Beta Club Convention and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Lady Tornado golf team as well as Rotary Interact.
Among her many community involvement activities are Young Life and the annual UC Schools Camp ROCK program.
Olivia is the daughter of Brandy and Tim Tanner.
Bondurant is a member of the prestigious 30+ ACT Club at Union City High School. He also has been honored as the Kiwanis Student of the Month.
A member of the Golden Tornado football and track teams, Carter also belongs to the Beta Club, Key Club, Rotary Interact and Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as having been a member of the band.
Additionally, the son of Ginger and Skipper Bondurant is involved with Young Life and in his church’s youth group.
Petty has balanced many things in his first three years at UCHS.
He’s served as an officer in his class for three years, including the role of president. A member of the Top 10 both his freshman and sophomore years, he was chosen for the Rotary Club’s annual trip to Europe this summer.
Silas is a member of the Beta Club, FCA and Rotary Interact. He also plays baseball.
Petty is also active in both Young Life and the Second Baptist Church youth group.
He is the son of Amy and Brent Petty.
Photo: Boys and Girls State delegates and alternates.