Volunteer Matt Damron assists a Boys State participant with directions to the dorm.
The annual American Legion Boys State of Missouri started today on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
You may ask, why cover this here?:
…One idea paramount above any other at MBS: That the individual is the one with the power to change the world. Whether athlete or politician, journalist or scientist, each and every one of us has the power to make a difference in the world. We help them to do just that.
Using our democratic system as a basis, we equip the participants each year to construct their own state, utilizing the core values that hold true in our everyday lives. We teach them the need for competition, the value of public office, the strength of the individual voice and vote. By reinforcing these basic American ideals, we help them all to shape the future.
Uh, it’s about government and politics. We do that, too. That, and their list of prominent guest speakers – Mike Huckabee, Jay Nixon, Sarah Steelman, and Robin Carnahan. Missouri Boys State issued me media credentials – I’ll be covering those speeches and the well known Boys State question and answer sessions, too.
The Boys State registration process – involving almost 1000 participants – is a model of efficiency
I spoke with Betty Rusher, Missouri Boys State Manager of Development and Administration. 1009 boys applied to attend. By this evening, with all registrations completed, there should be close to 1000 participants set to spend the week learning about and involving themselves in the processes of government. 34% of the participants are sponsored by American Legion posts. The remainder are sponsored by other civic organizations. All individuals who are accepted to attend Boys State are supported in this manner.
Here are some of the scheduled speakers:
2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MIKE HUCKABEE
Saturday, June 14, 2008Following Opening Night Ceremonies of the 69th session of Missouri Boys State former Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee will accept the 20th Annual George W. Lehr Memorial Speakers Chair on Monday night at Hendricks Hall. Huckabee will discuss his experiences on the campaign trail during his bid for the White House earlier this year as well as his time serving the State of Arkansas as Governor. Following his prepared remarks, Governor Huckabee will hold a question and answer session.
MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY NIXON
Sunday, June 15, 2008Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly on Sunday evening in Hendricks Hall. Attorney General Nixon is an outstanding supporter of the Boys State program and is the likely Democratic Party Nominee for Governor in 2008. The attorney general will hold a question and answer session following his prepared remarks.
MISSOURI STATE TREASURER SARAH STEELMAN
Tuesday, June 17, 2008State Treasurer Sarah Steelman will deliver the keynote address at the general assembly on Tuesday night in Hendricks Hall. Treasurer Steelman will also discuss her candidacy for Governor of Missouri in 2008. Her speech on Tuesday night marks her first ever visit to Missouri Boys State. Following her prepared remarks she will hold a question and answer session.
MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE ROBIN CARNAHAN
Thursday, June 19, 2008Missouri Secretary of State will deliver the keynote address and swear-in the newly elected state officials at the Joint Session of the Boys State House and Senate on Thursday evening at Hendricks Hall. Following her prepared remarks, Secretary of State Carnahan will swear-in the new MBS Governor and all new MBS constitutional officers and Supreme Court justices.
These are the speakers I think I’ll be able to cover.
Just in case you might think that there’s a certain unanimous ideological bent to the volunteers and participants in Boys State I thought I’d include a few photos of bumper stickers in the parking lot:
A sampling of bumper stickers in the parking lot
Just in case you’re wondering, there are other bumper stickers, too.