Two PCHS rising seniors learned how government works.
The American Legion Boys State began in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. Boys State provides rising high school seniors a unique, hands-on experience in how government works.
Participants are organized into simulated cities, counties, and a state in which they vote for officials according to regular election procedures. Boys State “citizens” run for office as real candidates do. Then, if elected, they learn the duties of the position. If elected to the Florida legislature, the boys bring forward their own bills. Since the State of Florida Senate is out of session, the activities are held in the Senate building in Tallahassee.
Each American Legion post in Florida sends delegates to Boys State. High schools in eastern Hillsborough County identified and informed potential candidates. Interested students filled out an application and interviewed with post members. After the process, Plant City’s American Legion Post 26 sponsored three young men, Kyle Hill and Aden Schiavone from Plant City High School (PCHS), and Harrison Hudson from Bloomingdale High School. Post 26 paid $500 each for the students’ travel, room, and board. They joined over 530 other students for the June 15 to June 21 program. Before attending, each student was required to take four online Florida history classes. During the program, they also took tests such as a simulated bar exam.
“A lot of it has to do with their character, and why they want to go,” Mark Connor, Post 26 Adjutant, said. “We look at the whole person, what they are doing in the community, and what they do for the school; activities, their grades, all that kind of stuff.”
Hill is a part of PCHS Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), the cross country team, and the track team. He wanted to go to Boys State because, “I heard it is the premier leadership program in the State of Florida,” he said. “I put on my application I wanted to learn about this and improve. The other big reason is it is leadership-, government, and history-based. Those are all things that I am very, very interested in. The really unique thing about this program is we actually held elections for levels of government. It was a really, really neat experience.” Hill plans to apply for an appointment to either West Point or the Naval Academy.
Schiavone is also in JROTC, and is in the process of getting an Eagle Scout award, the pinnacle achievement of Scouting America. He wanted the Boys State experience because of his connections to the American Legion. His great-grandfather was in the U.S. Navy, both his great-grandfather and grandfather have been American Legion members, and Schiavone has been a part of many American Legion events. “I wanted to see the side of politics and what it is all about,” he said. It helped him learn more about what he wants to do and doesn’t want to do. “We learned different political skills, how to talk in front of people, and the whole political system. I learned I want to be a person who does things rather than just sitting behind a desk. I want to be out there helping, rather than just sitting in an office making laws.” Schiavone plans to enter military service after he graduates.
Boys State does not identify with current political parties and is free of propaganda. Participants are divided into two parties, Nationalists and Federalists. The issues they tackle are set up to help the young men learn some of the civic responsibilities they can take as adults. Also, college scholarships are awarded to three students who stand out during the event.
High school rising seniors can apply now by calling (813) 352-4891.
