Brandon is a two-time WVU graduate where he once held the revered position of Mountaineer Mascot in 1998 and 1999. Brandon continues to use his talent for motivating and inspiring others as legal coordinator for the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State.
In its 83rd year, the American Legion’s Mountaineer Boys State (“ALMBS”) https://www.mountaineerboysstate.org/ hosted more than 200 West Virginia rising high school seniors at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County this month. ALMBS is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. Legion posts select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post, a local business or another community-based organization. American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State.
At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
Brandon attended Boys State in 1994 where he was elected Attorney General. The next year he was invited to come back as a staff counselor – a position which he returned to each summer for several more years. While in law school he began to help with the legal programming which eventually led him to become the legal coordinator. As the legal coordinator Brandon is responsible for organizing classes on the legal system where the students get to hear from local esteemed speakers and even put on their own mock trial.
For many years Brandon worked alongside John Kennedy Bailey as a legal advisor to the program, whose absence is now felt deeply after his passing last summer. Brandon has continued as the legal coordinator for the last 15 years and each summer he is reinvigorated by the students who he knows may one day grow up to continue his work in the legal field.
In addition to his work at Boys State, Brandon and his wife, Lisa, have traveled to Cusco, Peru seven times so far to participate in medical mission trips. Lisa is a physician and treats patients there while Brandon assists with intake, reception, and anywhere else he is needed.
Brandon lives in Barrackville, WV with his wife Lisa and their three children where he works as an Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. Brandon was nominated by Jami Cooper.
Original source can be found here.
