In late July the 96 Senators of Boys’ Nation met with President George W. Bush in the East Wing of the White House. The visit to the White House is a culmination of a week long exploration of American politics.
Two outstanding representatives from each of the 48 Boys States are called upon to represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, DC. It is here that the young leaders, who have excelled at their respective Boys’ States, are introduced to the structure and function of the National government.
This tradition dates to 1946, when the first Boys Nation Program was held at the American University in Washington, DC.
While at the program the young men serve as Senators in a mock congressional system and take a practical approach to the study and operation of our federal government. The political process is further highlighted throughout the week and includes the organization of party conventions and the nomination and election of a Boys Nation President and Vice President. This participatory centered learning style, a pillar of every Boys’ State program, is further complement by events with and presentations from prominent political leaders from across the nation. The young Senators also visit federal agencies, institutions, memorials and prominent historical sites including Arlington National Cemetery, the monuments and memorials on the National Mall, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Capitol.
President George W. Bush has granted an audience in The White House to Boys Nation participants every year since he became President in the year 2000. The 2007 delegates met with President Bush in late July of 2007. There is little doubt that a future President, Supreme Court Justice and/or US Senator was in the audience. Former President Clinton, himself a delegate of Boys’ Nation, met with President Kennedy in the Rose Garden during his Boys’ Nation visit to the White House. An encounter that led him to enter a life of public service.
In 2007 Nevada was excited to send Daniel McCready (left) and Derek Williams (righ) to Boys’ Nation. Daniel is a student at Canyon Springs High School and was the Federalist Party’s Gubernatorial Candidate at Nevada Boys’ State. Derek is a student at Community High School West and served several important roles at NBS, including the Mayor of his city and Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee.
Since its beginning, Boys Nation has seen many of its graduates elected to public offices which include the Presidency of the United States, the United States Congress, as state governors and as state legislators. Many others became inspired to actively work for the campaigns of individuals seeking public office.
Two delegates will be chosen from the 2008 Nevada Boys State delegation by former participants of the program. To apply visit www.NevadaBoysState.org/apply.
