Boys State Governors Welcome to the 2011 Boys State Citizens:
“Citizens, I would like to personally welcome you to the Premier Boys State.  You are about to take part in what is going to be one of the best weeks of your life.  You will make many new friends, create everlasting memories, and learn lessons that will stay with you as you go through your senior year and into the rest of your life.
I know all of this, because my experience last year was amazing to say the least.  I made several friends, and I even found my college roommate.  The people in my county made bonds that will never be broken.  Many months after Boys State, we lost one of our county-mates to a car accident; the members of my county felt the loss just as if it were us losing an actual family member.
I also learned many life lessons while at Boy’s State.  The most important one is how to deal and interact with other people.  While here, you will be put in a position where you must work with each other to accomplish certain tasks.  This quality is one that you will be very useful in the rest of your life.
All of these opportunities are there for you to take advantage of.  But they will you pass you by if you don’t make the most of them.  This week will either be unforgettable or insignificant piece of your life.  But that will be your choice.  It will be exactly what you make of it.   You can sit in your room and leave here the same way you came or you can get yourself involved and take advantage of the opportunities this program offers.  The Illinois American Legion has presented you with this opportunity, and I challenge each and every one of you to make the most of it.  Thank you for your time, and I hope you have a wonderful and life-changing week."
Garren Randolph
2010 Boys State Governor
2011 Assistant City Counselor
Monmouth, IL