As a parent, you want your child to experience new opportunities that will help shape their future. That's why I was thrilled when my son Isaiah, along with two of his closest friends from Western Center Academy, were chosen by the Mayor of Hemet to attend Boy's State in Sacramento. Boy's and Girl's State is a life-changing experience that allows attendees to connect with other students, learn about leadership and government, and grow as an individual.
What is Boy's and Girl's State?
Girls and Boys State is a renowned and highly competitive educational program that provides government instruction to American high school students. In June of 1935, at the heart of the Great Depression, a man by the name of Hayes Kennedy had an idea. As the American Legion's Illinois Department Commander, he decided to create a program that would simulate the law-making process of Illinois' government. He wanted to provide an opportunity for young men to learn about the legislative process, leadership, and patriotism. Thus, Boys State was born.
The program originally separated boys and girls, sending each group to their own conference. However, this changed in 2023, combining both programs into Boy's and Girl's State (a fact that has my son and his friends very excited!) Attending this program for a week will have a profound impact on Isaiah's life and give him an in-depth understanding of how the government system operates. The program has an impressive list of alumni, including Michael Jordan, Neil Armstrong, Tom Brokaw, Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi, Jane Pauley, Bill Clinton, and many others. According to CollegeVine.com, each year there are approximately 40,000 young men and women participate in the program and since its inception, there have been over 2,000,000 young men and women who have participated in the program.
While Isaiah will be taking AP Government in school this year, this program, sponsored by the American Legion, is a unique opportunity for high school students to learn about government and leadership. In a week-long program at UC Sacramento, attendees will learn about the inner workings of local and state government, participate in mock elections, and develop valuable leadership skills.
One of the biggest benefits of attending Boys and Girls State is the opportunity to meet and network with other young leaders from across the state. The program is designed to bring together a diverse group of students with different backgrounds and perspectives. By working together on group projects and participating in debates and discussions, attendees will gain a better understanding of the challenges facing their communities and the importance of collaboration and compromise in finding solutions.
What do you do at Boy's and Girl's State?
During the program, attendees will also have the chance to hear from guest speakers and visit local government offices in the state capital. They will learn about the different branches of government and the role of elected officials in shaping policy. In addition, they will develop skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving that will serve them well in any future leadership role. Boys and Girls State is not just a program for those interested in politics or government. It is an opportunity for any student who wants to develop their leadership skills and make a positive impact in their community. The skills and experiences gained at Boys and Girls State can be applied in any field, from business to education to healthcare.
Attending Boy's State gives Isaiah the opportunity to spend a week at UC Sacramento, where he will meet like-minded students from all over the state and bond over their shared passion for leadership and government. This sense of community provides Isaiah with a support system that will follow him throughout his future education and career.
The main focus of this program is leadership and government where they learn about the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens in a one-week intensive program. Students are divided into the Nationalist Party (“Nats”) and the Federalist Party (“Feds”), and the participants run for and elect government officials including a mayor, governor, and state legislators. Through interactive workshops and guest speakers, attendees were able to learn about California politics, writing bills, and holding elections. They even get to study for the bar exam, shadow mock legislators, and experience the inner workings of government firsthand. Isaiah will leave Boy's State armed with new knowledge that will benefit him in his future leadership endeavors and will be excited to share what he learned with his peers back at school.
He never ceases to amaze me.