Boys State brings on young statesmen.Byline: JACK MORAN The Register-Guard A week of serious politics gave way to some serious relaxation Saturday afternoon, when about 250 youths taking part in the 2002 Oregon Beaver beaver, either of two large aquatic rodents, Castor fiber and Castor canadensis, known for their engineering feats. They were once widespread in N and central Eurasia except E Siberia, and in North America from the arctic tree line to the S United Boys State Program shed their coats and ties in favor of loose-fitting jeans and rumpled T-shirts. "This was a lot to take in at once," said Jeb Poling, 17, of Tigard. "I thought I knew a lot about government, but coming here really opened my eyes. More than anything, it has made me respect what people in politics do for our democratic process." Boys State, a mock-government program held at the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. and sponsored by the American Legion American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. , includes Oregon high school juniors selected for their excellence in the classroom, community involvement and character. While most 16- and 17-year-old boys have their minds on baseball, cars and girls during this time of year, Boys State attendees spent their first week of summer vacation Summer vacation (also called summer holidays or summer break) is a vacation in the summertime between school years in which students are off for 3 months, depending on the country and district. setting up a state government. "I think Boys State is a breeding ground for patriotism Patriotism See also Chauvinism, Loyalty. America, Captain comic-strip character known as the “protector of the American way.” [Comics: Horn, 155–156] American elm traditional symbol of American patriotism. ," said 18-year-old John Reuter of Lebanon, who returned to Boys State for a second time, this year serving as a junior counselor. "Besides giving the citizens a chance to really understand government, the program also allows them to realize where they might be headed in life." During the week, Boys State "citizens" became involved in every aspect of state and local government. Political parties were chosen, mayors were elected and legislation was passed. On the judicial side, prosecutors and public defenders public defender, governmental official who represents indigent persons accused of crime. U.S. Supreme Court decisions expanding the right to counsel to pretrial proceedings and holding that a person cannot be sentenced to even one day in jail unless a lawyer was argued their cases before judges. The week of politics wrapped up Saturday with the election of a new Boys State governor. A final legislative veto A legislative veto exists in governments that separate executive and legislative functions if actions by the executive can be rejected by the legislative. United States The legislative veto had an interesting, but short-lived function in the United States government. session was held just before the program's closing ceremony, where each citizen received his diploma. Silverton resident Alex Huebsch, 17, spent his week working as a lobbyist, pushing legislation that would help unions. Huebsch said the hands-on experience left him with mixed feelings about politics. "I definitely learned a lot about government this week," he said. "Whether that's good or bad, I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. yet." Kevin Garaventa, 17, of Salem said that while Boys State boosted his interest in government, "I don't know if being a real representative would be too much fun." Most participants said they could easily see how the Boys State experience was like "real" politics. "Just like any courtroom or board room, you've got people here who are trying to work together, despite their differing viewpoints," said Guy Clark, 17, of Seaside Seaside. 1 City (1990 pop. 38,901), Monterey co., W Calif., on Monterey Bay, in a fruit region; founded 1887, inc. 1954. Its economy is based largely upon tourism. California State Univ. Monterey Bay is there, on the former site of Fort Ord. . "We got through this despite our differences. That's what has to happen in government." Reuter called that skill "being able to argue in a reasonable way." At the end of the program, the teens tossed footballs and hugged each other before heading back to their hometowns. Some will return, as Reuter has, to lead another class through the program. "I'll be back next year," said John Swanson, 17. "After this week, I think I will probably be considering political science as something to study in college. It's too bad it's over already, but I've got to get back. I have to get up at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow for football camp in Medford." |
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