CARING FOR OUR VETERANS
Little known education Program
John
Lenotte
 Little known education
program Last month I wrote about
scholarships and that many students do
not apply because they are now aware of
them. This month I am going into detail
on one of the American Legion programs
that many are not aware of and should be.
American Legion Boys State is among the
most respected and selective educational
programs of government instruction for
high school students. It is a
participatory program where each
participant becomes a part of the
operation of his local, county and state
government.
Boys State has been a program of The
American Legion since 1935 when it
organized to counter the Fascist inspired
Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the
idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes
Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized
the first Boys State at the Illinois
State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a
similar program for young ladies called
Girls State.
At American Legion Boys State,
participants are exposed to the rights
and privileges, the duties and the
responsibilities of a franchised citizen.
The training is objective and practical
with city, county and state governments
operated by the students elected to the
various offices. Activities include
legislative sessions, court proceedings,
law enforcement presentations,
assemblies, bands, chorus and
recreational programs.
High school juniors are selected by local
American Legion posts to attend the
program. In most cases, expenses
associated with attending this program
are paid by a sponsoring American Legion
post, a local business or another
community-based organization.
American Legion Boys State is currently
conducted in 49 Departments of The
American Legion. Hawaii does not conduct
a program. As separate corporations, Boys
States vary in content and method of
procedure, but each and every Boys State
adheres to the basic concept of the
program - that of teaching government
from the township to the state level.
Boys State Selection
The American Legion has established
certain qualifications for prospective
Boys State citizens. Following are the
recommended guidelines that are employed
by most American Legion Boys State
programs.
- Only males who have successfully
completed their junior year of high
school and have at least one more
semester of high school remaining are
considered eligible to participate.
- Any boy who has previously attended an
American Legion Boys State is not
eligible to attend a second session.
- Only boys with outstanding qualities of
leadership, character, scholarship,
loyalty and service to their schools and
community should be considered.
In the actual selection of boys as
citizens of Boys State, merit and ability
alone are the basis for selection.
Boys Nation
Two outstanding representatives from each
of 49 Boys States are called upon to
represent their state at American Legion
Boys Nation in Washington, DC. It is here
that the young leaders, who had excelled
at their respective Boys States, are
introduced to the structure and function
of the federal government.
At American Legion Boys Nation, each
delegate represents his Boys State as a
senator. These youthful lawmakers caucus
at the beginning of the session, organize
into committees and conduct hearings on
bills submitted by delegates to the
program.
The Boys Nation Senators are instructed
on the proper method of handling bills
according to the rules of the United
States Senate. Actual participation in
the political process is highlighted
throughout the week to include the
organization of party conventions and the
nomination and election of a Boys Nation
President and Vice President.
The week of government training in the
Nation’s Capitol combines lectures
and forums with visitations to federal
agencies, institutions, memorials and
historical spots in and around
Washington. During a visit to Capitol
Hill, Boys Nation Senators meet with
elected officials from their home states.
Boys Nation visits several historic and
governmental sites in and around the
Washington, DC area. Included are field
trips to Arlington National Cemetery, the
monuments and memorials on the National
Mall, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S.
Department of State, the U.S. Capitol and
the White House.
Since its beginning in 1946, Boys Nation
has seen many of its graduates elected to
public offices which include the
Presidency of the United States, the
United States Congress, as state
governors and as state legislators. Many
others became inspired to actively work
for the campaigns of individuals seeking
public office.
Famous alumni of the Boys and Girls State
programs include Bill Clinton, George
Pataki, Mike Huckabee, Tom Brokaw, Jane
Pauley, Michelle D. Johnson (First Female
Wing Commander, United States Air Force
Academy), Michael Jordan, Michael Dukakis
and Neil Armstrong.. Many United States
Senators (including Harry Reid, Bob
Menendez, and Lamar Alexander),
Governors, and state-level politicians
(state senators, state assemblymen, et
cetera) are Boys’ or Girls’
State alumni.
Participants of Boys State and Girls
State are eligible to apply for a
scholarship. Samsung, a worldwide leader
in electronics, endowed a scholarship
fund of five million dollars to be
administered by The American Legion. The
endowment was made to show appreciation
to U.S. veterans who came to the aid of
Korea during its struggle against
communist forces during the Korean War.
“The Samsung American Legion
Scholarship Program” established a
series of scholarships derived from
interest and other income from the
$5,000,000 principal amount. In 2007, ten
$20,000 scholarships and 88 $1,000
scholarships were awarded. More
information is available at www.legion.org/programs/resources/scholarships.
I hope that some of the parents who read
this will seriously consider sending the
children to either Boys State or Girls
State. Boys State is held at Stonehill
College in North Easton from June 14
– 20. Girls State is held at
Westfield State College, June 15 –
20.
Also noteworthy is that attendance at
these programs is a question on the
application for schools like the US
Military Academy at West Point. For the
West Point Class of 2011, 202 of the
1,305 students had attended either Boys
or Girls State.
Keep this in mind for the youth in your
family. And please, keep all our troops
in your thoughts and prayers.
John Lenotte is the American Legion,
Commander, Wilbur M. Comeau Post 4
Haverhill and Vice Commander, Dept. of
Massachusetts. You can Email him at
JohnLDistrict8@verizon.net
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
All pictures and
material are
(C) copyright, Valley Patriot, Inc., 2008
|
