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Comal ISD Recognizes 34 Boys State, Girls State ParticipantsBTy Comal ISDhe Comal ISD Board of Trustees recognized 34 students who participated in this summer’sTexas Boys State and Texas Girls State leadership programs during its board meeting Thursday, Sept. 19.Annually, the American Legion and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary host rising high school seniors to participate in a six-day crash course on government by creating their own. They run for office, host elections, conduct committee hearings, draft legislation, pass legislation and more.“Boys State changed my view on government by helping me understand all the processes behind it,” says Talan Fuller, a senior at Smithson Valley High School.“Every individual citizen’s role in government is equal if not greater than any one political leader.“Boys State provided me with an in depth understanding of how our government works from the state level all the way down to the individual local and city government.” During their time, students become immersed in the process of government and politics.“Girls State changed my views on government and my role as a local citizen as to the choices that are sometimes made,” says Jordyn Martin, a senior at Canyon Lake High School. “A lot of problem solving is needed as well as more ideas.”Martin, who plans to join the United State Air Force upon graduation, said she will be more involved in elections especially now, since she is 18 and can vote.Fuller plans to attend college and study international business.“I have always planned to vote, but now I understand what I’m voting for and the weight that my vote holds in government,” he says. “Upholding your civic responsibility of suffrage and understanding your rightsis of almost equal importance to the other core subjects you learn in school.” Representing Comal ISD in this summer’s programs were the following students: From Canyon High School:• Anna Benson• David Dunn• Tyson King• Joseph RodriguezFrom Canyon Lake High School • Joshua Bryan• Caleb Dunn• Brenna Jackson• Jordyn Martin• Reagan Meinzer• Eduardo Reyes• Jae Torrez• Jacob TucknessFrom Davenport High School• Adam Elza• Raithe Fox• Maeson Frazier• Reese Hickingbottom• Maelle Lister• Christian Oden• Atahliah Richardson• Victoria Scott• Connor Starjak• Tatiana SunstromFrom Memorial Early College High School • Everrett Garrett• Jaxon Hurse• Elizabeth Johnson• Ethan Lopez• Brooke PerryFrom Pieper High School• Alina Anderson• Cheyanne Pepper• James Swain• Reagan Turman• Xavier VieraFrom Smithson Valley High School• Andrew Bonner• Talan FullerThirty-four Comal ISD students were recognized by the Board of Trustees for their participation in this summer’s Texas Boys State and Texas Girls State leadership programs during its meeting Sept. 19.Senior Talan Fuller from Smithson Valley High Senior Jordyn Martin from Canyon Lake High School is pictured with Bill Morrison the chairSchool participated in this summer’s Texas Girls State leadership program.of Boys State for the Walton F. Hoffmann Memorial American Legion Post 179.adianna E’lsi-Skye PinkertonNH ey everybody! It’s me, Nadianna,back again with someinformation about veteran death benefits. My twin brother, Nicholas Aidan, runs an amazing nonprofit called Warriors Remembrance Foundation. He works super hard to care for veterans’ gravesites to make sure they’re remembered. I’m not very good at cleaning, so I write these tips to help veterans and their families know what they’ve earned.Let’s talk about grave markers, because there’s more than just one type to choose from, and it’s not just for veterans. Sometimes people overlook the families, but widowed spouses can also get a free grave marker if they’re buried with the veteran in a national, state, or tribal cemetery. There are six options for veterans to choose from basedVeteran Death & Burial EntitlementsIf You Don’t Know, Now You Know!10www.bsbhighlights.comNovember 2024on their needs.1. The Upright Marker: This comes in granite or marble, and it’s 42 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. It weighs about 230 pounds.2. The Flat Marker: This also comes in granite or marble, and it’s 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. It weighs about 130 pounds.3. The Flat Bronze Marker: This is 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, with a 3/4-inch rise. It weighs about 18 pounds. Anchor bolts, nuts, and washers for fastening to a base are included, but the government doesn’t provide a base.4. The Niche Bronze Marker: This is 8 1/2 inches long, 5 1/2 inches wide, with a 7/16-inch rise. It weighs about 3 pounds. Mounting bolts and washers are included.5. Urns and Plaques: A new law passed in 2023 allows for urns and plaques, but if you choose this option, the veteran can’t be buried in a national cemetery and can’t receive any grave marker. If you don’t plan to bury the veteran, maybe scatter their remains, this could be a good choice for you. 6. Burial at Sea: An overlooked option is burial at sea. The Navy runs this program, but eligible service members from any branch can request it. For more info, visit https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support- Services/Casualty/Mortuary-Services/ Burial-at-Sea/The VA has a medallion program too, which is great for families who want to put up a personal monument. These come in three sizes and can be attached to both monuments and mausoleums.If you’re a veteran or a loved one of a veteran, visit the website below to learn more about grave markers and your other entitlements. If you need help, just call (210) 802-1917 and talk to my dad, Nick. He’ll walk you through the process. https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ memorial-items/headstones-markers- medallions/Have a great day, and remember to say a prayer for a veteran and their family.