OHIO VALLEY — Boston Kuhn, a 10-year-old boy from Oak Hill, Ohio, was chosen as one of 12 Kid Nation captains for the Boston Red Sox for the 2012 contest. He will be a captain representing the Red Sox Kid Nation for the next two years. Nearly a thousand kids applied to be one of this year’s captains. Kuhn, a 4th grade student at Southview Elementary in Jackson, is the son of Phillip and Cindi (Elliott) Kuhn of Oak Hill and the grandson of Wayne and Lana Elliott and Marilyn and Rob Goucher of Gallipolis.
Kuhn was announced as one of 25 finalists back in June. The public was asked to go online and vote for him to become one of the captains, and he ended up placing second overall in the voting. Kuhn traveled to Boston, MA on June 22 to take part in a pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park. He had dinner with the previous captains and met all the new captains. He was then taken down to the field where he had the opportunity to watch batting practice and get autographs.
Directly before the game, he and the other 11 captains were taken onto the field by home plate and announced to the fans. During the National Anthem, Kuhn ran out to center field, and stood with the outfielders while the Anthem was sung. He got to meet the centerfielder and get an autograph.
“I had the time of my life,” said Kuhn of the experience. “I feel like the luckiest kid in the world!”
Kuhn was awarded this honor based on his plan to help kids in need. All the captains devised a community service project designed to help families in their area. Kuhn’s project is called Equipment for Appalachia. He wants all coaches, players and businesses in the area to donate used equipment that is no longer needed. He is hoping to collect helmets, bats, gloves, balls, cleats, catcher’s equipment and anything else used for softball or baseball. His plan is to collect all the equipment that is too small on kids this season and store it until next season. Then, a day can be held for families in need to come and get free equipment for the 2013 baseball/softball season.
Readers who are interested in helping Kuhn with his project can bring any unneeded equipment to Southview Elementary on Ohio 93 in Jackson. Equipment can be left at the office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday; August 6- August 17. If you are not able to make it to the school during these times, you can contact 740-682-6035 to make arrangements to drop off the equipment at another location or time. Businesses with new equipment that is discontinued or no longer needed are also encouraged to call.


















