Rhoades takes on Boys State

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Incoming senior Jacob Rhoades spent an eventful week at the American Legion Wonderful Wyoming Boys’ State, in Douglas at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds. From June 9-15, he represented Newcastle and American Legion Post No. 3. 
Wyoming Boys’ State is held annually in June for high school juniors from across the state. The young men participate in activities to gain knowledge of their state and the governmental structure. 
“Delegates learn first-hand how government works, experiencing what it takes to create and enact laws,” the event’s website says. “The week emphasizes leadership, civic engagement and patriotism.” 
Jacob told the News Letter Journal that he first thought about going to boys’ state when his brother Marshall went a few years ago. Marshall shared stories of his experience with Jacob, sparking his interest and leading to his eventual application submission. 
While at boys’ state, juniors representing schools across the state were formed into groups representing three different cities, Jacob said. Each group worked as a team throughout the week. 
“Throughout that week, we worked in either the legislature or courts. The court had a court case to hear and legislation, where I was debated bills and things like that,” Jacob said. “It worked like the actual
legislature.” 
The week features two legislative and court sessions each day during the week, with the legislative sessions being conducted by boys representing legislators, according to the website. 
“The Boys’ State Senators and Representatives will introduce, debate and vote on their own bills,” the website says, “Mock trials will be conducted in the Boys’ State Court.” 
Jacob said that giving speeches during the legislative sessions was one of the best parts of the entire trip, along with making friends.
“The worst part was getting up early to go work out; that was probably the only bad part,” Rhoades said. “I learned a lot about the government, and it was overall a really cool experience.” 
He said that he would definitely encourage upcoming juniors to take the opportunity if possible. 
Every year between 100 and 200 “young men of good character” attend the weeklong event after being chosen by their local American Legion post based on “academic achievement, community and school involvement, and an interest in government.” 
According to Jacob, he was interviewed after applying with the local American Legion. After he was selected, the post paid for his trip, he said. 
The program was  the brainchild of Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, both educators and members of the American Legion of Illinois. 
Although fascism no longer poses a threat in today’s world, “the American Legion continues to sponsor and to conduct Boys’ State in the belief that young citizens who are familiar with the operation of our system of government will be better prepared to uphold the ideals and maintain it for future,” the website states.