08/03/2011
by Drew Schoen '12
The week I spent as a citizen at Louisiana Boys State was a special experience. The American Legion sponsored four hundred of the top male students from across the state to come together for a weeklong, intensive program. The purpose was to promote good citizenship, patriotism, and leadership through participation in a mock government and “learning through doing”. We learned that United States citizenship has not only rights and privileges, but also duties and responsibilities.
Since 1937, the American Legion has sponsored this annual camp in every state (except Hawaii) for boys and girls in the summer before their senior year to learn the many functions of our government. From city and state operations, to the two-party system, everyone learns the skills to participate in our democratic society. After city, parish, and party elections, the week leads up to state primaries and electing state offices. Every citizen performs the duties of the office he is elected to in order to run the “government”. Some of the activities taking place are city and parish planning, council meetings, arrests, trials, law enforcement, assemblies, campaign managing, and legislative sessions.
I was a citizen of Concordia City, Bogue Falaya Parish, and the “Nationalist Party”. I was elected Sheriff of my parish, and helped my parish win the “Best Parish” award. The camaraderie at Boy State was amazing. It was like the brotherhood you find in fraternities. I made great friends that I hope to see again in college.
Being a LA Boys State delegate was even more special to me because I am the third generation in my family to attend. Both of my parents attended, both of my grandfathers attended, two uncles, and both of my brothers also attended. I am very proud to be a LA Boys State alumnus. I appreciate the opportunity that The Dunham School and The American Legion provided me through this experience. As the American Legion says, it was truly “a week to shape a lifetime.”
Did you know…
...these famous people and politicians are among the many leaders who attended Boys or Girls State:
Gov. Bobby Jindal, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, Pres. Bill Clinton, Nick Saban, Tom Brokaw, Mike Huckabee, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, George Pataki, Jane Pauley, Harry Reid, Trent Lott, Sam Nunn, Dale Carnegie, Richard Cheney, Joseph Lieberman, and countless other current and past state and national leaders.
