ExploreWhen you visit America’s Hometown over the summer, you’re very likely to meet our modern-day version of Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. You’ll know them by their darling costumes and their infectious smiles. And you’ll be absolutely blown away by Tom and Becky’s knowledge of Hannibal, our history, and of course, of our favorite son Mark Twain.
For more than 60 years, Hannibal has crowned a lucky 7th grade pair to serve as our official Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. They represent Hannibal as goodwill ambassadors to the world. They greet our guests as they step off riverboat cruises. They stroll the historic district to chat up guests and pose for pictures. They’ll even perform the engagement scene from “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. On the local circuit, the duo make appearances at ribbon cuttings, they speak to civic groups, they attend grand opening celebrations. They even throw out the first pitch at a Cardinals game every year.
If you’re in town for an overnight visit, you’ll notice that the Tom and Becky you saw on day 1 isn’t necessarily the same set you’ll see on day 2. That’s because we throw more work at them than one couple can handle. They have so many appearances, we actually have 10 kids on standby to serve as our Tom and Becky.
The process it takes to be named a Tom Sawyer or a Becky Thatcher is pretty intense. An invitation goes out to all Hannibal 7th graders to apply for the contest. In years past, as many as 100 students have applied. From the initial application process to the final ceremony on July 4th, the process takes about six months. Through a series of meetings, evaluations, and presentations, the field is narrowed to 12 boys and 12 girls who are semifinalists. The kids take a test on their knowledge of Mark Twain and Hannibal then they go through another interview process. The field is whittled down to five boys and five girls. At that point, the kids start preparing their costumes, because no matter who becomes the “official” Tom and Becky, all of them will make regular appearances in full character mode. The five finalists undergo orientation and are evaluated over the course of a couple days to see how well they know their stuff and based on their interpersonal interactions with visitors.
The big reveal of the official Tom and Becky happens every 4th of July at National Tom Sawyer Days. A huge crowd gathers in Central Park to see which anxious boy gets a peck on the cheek and which trembling girl is given a chalk slate from the outgoing official couple. The crowd erupts in cheers, the media descends, tears are shed, and that kicks off a new season of Toms and Beckys entertaining locals and visitors alike.
The Tom and Becky program dates back to 1956 when the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest to entertain 1200 grade schoolers from St. Louis who were coming to town. That kicked off a tradition that’s stretched more than 60 years. In that time, Tom and Becky have represented Hannibal in at least 15 states, plus international appearances in Japan, Canada, and Mexico. The Tom and Becky program is now under the stewardship of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. You can follow their journey on Facebook at The Tom and Becky Program.
