Cadet First Lieutenant John-Mark MacFarlane, a Marion resident, attended the Massachusetts American Legion Boys State program and three U.S. Military Academy summer seminars.

Following an in-depth application process, MacFarlane was selected to attend Massachusetts Boys State June 15-21 at Stonehill College.  The program, founded by the American Legion in 1935, is a weeklong leadership action course in state and local government open to male seniors who qualify for this opportunity.  Participants learn how local, county and state governments operate in order to develop a working knowledge of the structure of government.

MacFarlane also attended the Summer Leaders Experience at the United States Military Academy – West Point in New York; the United States Naval Academy summer seminar in Maryland; and the United States Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission program in Connecticut during June and July.

MacFarlane is a boarding cadet at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Ga.  He serves as Executive Officer for Golf Company, participates on the varsity football and wrestling teams, and is a member of the National Honor Society.  He received Riverside’s Rotary Award in May 2013 for exhibiting outstanding leadership qualities, and he was also awarded the JROTC Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. MacFarlane is the son of Dr. John MacFarlane and Mrs. Raquel MacFarlane of Marion.