American Legion Boys State Post 320
American Legion Boys State is a week-long program for rising senior boys that serves as an optimal source for leadership growth through immersion in aspects of local government. Steve Robertson, chair of the Virginia and Post 320 Boys State Committees, says, "...the program is an activity of high educational value, born out of the need for youth development and practical citizenship."
To be selected for the program, school staff nominate students who must go before the Legion Post for an interview by legionnaires. Each accepted student then partakes in an interactive government course designed to impress on the student's knowledge about how local government operates and how big of an impact citizens have on this operation.
The students attend Radford University for a week during the summer before senior year. There, they simulate government operations, being placed in "cities" that each serve as an individual local government. The students then elect local officials within their city and, later, state officials such as the Attorney General.
Member of Post 320, Austin Clayton, was elected Attorney General. He says, "One of the most meaningful things I did as Attorney General and secretary of the Commonwealthー a position on the governor's cabinetー was drafting real law that would be voted on by the boys to pass to the General Assembly of Virginia to be considered by real lawmakers." Clayton describes that running for the office of Attorney General was not as difficult as he anticipated, as he says, "I believe I can attribute my success in the election to not being a politician, but just somebody who wanted to run for a position and do it well."
Beyond this, the students must participate in flag ceremonies, city elections and discussions, sporting events, and campaigning. Member of Post 320, Kirby Domachowski, says, "The main thing I learned from this experience was the ability to be social… being at Boys State for a week, not knowing anyone there, and practically being forced to socialize has helped me learn social skills… I can also go through social situations that might have scared me in the past without breaking a sweat."
The skills these students develop during the week at Boys State will have an extreme impact on their future, whether in a career or everyday life. Domachowski says, "For my future, I hope to be an officer in the United States Air Force. Learning these skills of being able to talk to new people will be extremely valuable…." Post 320 member Jack Buckley says, "I feel that the knowledge from Boys State will benefit me by giving me more insight into what happens when I vote for someone on the local or federal level."
Clayton expresses that he does not intend to enter into a government-related career. However, he still recognizes the extreme importance of the program, as he says, "...understanding how our government functions on a deeper level than is discussed in the media is important for enhanced civic engagement…"
Robertson says, "Watching these boys mature politically over the course of a week is exciting. Their performances would make Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe proud."
This year's participants representing Post 320 were Jack Buckley and Kirby Domachowski from Riverbend High School; Jeffery Chen from Courtland High School; Nick Page and Matt Marulli from Chancellor High School; Peter Jett from Fredericksburg Christian School; Leo Herrin, Chance Gillespie, and Austin Clayton from Massaponax High School.
Robertson concludes, saying, "It is truly a week that can change a lifetime."
