Tom and Becky

Every year the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce selects a local boy and girl to be the town's goodwill ambassadors, Tom and Becky. Seventh graders compete for the honor and are chosen based on their personality, grades and savvy about Mark Twain and Hannibal (they take written tests). On July 4, the names of the new Tom and Becky are announced during National Tom Sawyer Days, and the winners spend the next 12 months wearing their period costumes (Tom carries a fishing pole, Becky a slate) to ribbon cuttings, school events, parades, etc. During the summer, Tom and Becky stroll downtown Hannibal and mingle with tourists on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tom and Becky are volunteers, but the positions do have their perks, like the trip to Bermuda that the 20092010 winners (Alex Addison and Paige Cummins) took in November 2009. Because the island was one of Mark Twain's favorite vacation spots, Tom and Becky were invited to appear for its 400th birthday festivities.