Walter M. DeFoor of Garner was elected as Governor of the American Legion Tar Heel Boys’ State Wednesday, June 22 during the weeklong event held at Catawba College.  DeFoor is the son of David and Cindy DeFoor.

According to Boys’ State officials, Walter’s first pursuit in the political field of Boys’ State was County District Attorney.  However, he was required to resign from that position after receiving his party nomination for Governor.  Since his arrival at Boys’ State, his aims were set high.  He volunteered his services on the State Board of Elections, and was active with the Moot Court Program, where he took and passed the Boys’ State Bar Exam.

Sponsored by the American Legion, Tar Heel Boys’ State is directed by Roger Cooke of King.  Involving high school juniors who are academically in the top third of their class, the program is a weeklong practical study of the structure and operation of North Carolina State Government.  In a non-partisan atmosphere, participants take a hands-on approach to learning how state and local governments function.  Citizens, as the participants are known, develop an understanding of the responsibilities of citizenship by creating and living under their own mock government.

This is the third consecutive year that the event has been held on Catawba’s campus and approximately 250 participants, all rising high school seniors from North Carolina, are involved.

For more information about Tar Heel Boys’ State, visit their website at www.tarheelboysstate.com.