Four Poland Seminary High School Junior boys have the privilege to attend American Legion Buckeye Boys State, an eight day event that educates young men on the city, county, and state government. Our students–Oliver McCully, Jeffery Kollar, Michael Daley, and Jonah Myers–will represent our school at the event’s venue, Miami University.
The Ohio American Legion, a chapter in the largest veterans organization, sponsors the program which was founded in 1936. Buckeye Boys State totals over 1200 young men and assembles representatives from more than 600 schools.
In order to be selected, students went through a rather simple process. First, faculty members nominated students to be potential candidates. Afterward, an informational meeting was held on February 28 in the library. Students obtained a handout that queried how involved a student was with academics and extracurriculars as well as a short response of the student’s interest in the program/governments. Afterward, those candidates submitted their resumes and were interviewed on March 12. Two representatives from the Ohio American Legion interviewed the attending students and sent an email out the following day to the selected individuals.
This opportunity is a perfect time to grow these young men into well-rounded individuals ready for the next steps in life. For instance, the attendees are able to connect with other Ohioans. Jeffery Kollar expresses his excitement to “build relations with people across the state” while he attends Miami University this June; in fact, AJ Ladigo–one of last year’s attendees– still keeps in contact with Buckeye Boys from the Youngstown area.
Regardless of the nonpartisan education, the students will get a “glimpse of college life” as Oliver McCully states. Buckeye Boys State attracts boys from all over the state and gives the boys eight straight days of independence, a small taste of college life they’ll experience within a year.
Lastly, AJ Ladigo emphasized the importance of communication. There are conventions, assemblies, and guest speakers (one of which was Governor Mike DeWine) that provide moments to connect and bond with fellow peers and officials. Therefore, “talk to as many people as you can” because communication is key when forming these lifelong relationships and connections.
