By David Karas | Correspondent

The accomplishments of at least one recent alumnus of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, have already begun to follow him as he prepares for college courses.

Aidan Byrnes, a Middletown native, was recently honored by the American Legion Leonardo Memorial Post #338, which selected him for its Outstanding Achievement Award.

Byrnes began his work with the American Legion when the post selected him to be its representative for the 2013 American Legion NJ Boys’ State Conference, a week-long, college-level seminar that brings some 1,000 young men together to represent local posts across the state. The week includes hands-on education surrounding government, politics, civics and leadership, and ends with the election of two senators to represent the state at the Boys’ Nation Conference in Washington, D.C. – a post Byrnes was happy to fill.

When Byrnes was elected by the 1,000 state delegates for the national post, he was presented a certificate by former Newark Mayor, now-U.S. Sen. Cory Booker. Byrnes is the first to make it to the national conference from his local post.

While in Washington, Byrnes and his fellow state senators learned about the federal government’s structure and functions. The program emphasizes participation in the political process, and features mock party conventions, nominations and presidential and vice presidential elections from among the young men gathered there. Byrnes was nominated as one of two candidates to run for vice president, in an election process that included a 45-minute televised debate with a format similar to that of the national presidential election.

“While I always had an interest in government and how it works, Boys’ Nation gave me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding,” Byrnes reflected. “I will always remember walking around the Capitol Building, getting a special tour of the White House, and even meeting the president.  It was amazing.”

Since Boys Nation began in 1946, a number of its graduates have been elected to public office, including presidents, congressmen, state governors and state legislators. Many others have been inspired to work for the campaigns of individuals seeking public office.

Byrnes is now a student in The Catholic University of America’s honors program. He told school officials he plans to learn more about how the government functions and hopes to intern on Capitol Hill, taking full advantage of his university’s position in Washington,