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| WELCOME TO BOYS STATE LIVE 2011! | |
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Thursday Evening Update
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| It took six days, four elections, many hours of campaigning, and many hours of work, but the creation of the 2011 Illinois Boys State government is now complete. The first two $1500 scholarship winners have been awarded to the Governor and the winner of the Oration Competition. The interview process is complete for the remaining scholarships as the deliberations by the staff continues to determine the winners. State champions have been crowned in the four inter-county team sports. At tonight's assembly, "The Dream Will Never Die", the constitutional officers will be sworn in. We begin the transition back into the 'real' state of Illinois, and 'the experience of a lifetime' BEGINS its journey. Tomorrow, as the citizens head home, they realize why Illinois Boys State has this tag line. Many have had their first experience in public speaking. Many have had their first true understanding of what the word government and democracy mean. Many have had their level of self-confidence raised because they chose to get involved. ALL have had their first experience with politics...both the good and bad sides of it. For some, their planned career plans have been changed. For others, they will run for a local, county, state, or even national office. All of this because of a program called American Legion Illinois Boys State - A Week That Shapes A Lifetime. | ||
Congratulations to the 2011 Oration Competition Winner |
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Wheaton, IL |
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Model County Awards - Thursday |
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East Wing - Kennedy |
West Wing - Geiger |
Overall - Conatser |
When I was given the opportunity to attend Boys State, I hesitated. I anticipated it would be a lot of political jargon I would not understand, and there would be loads of arrogant attendants I would not get along with. I decided to go after considering the opportunities the program made available. Scholarships and credentials are always a wise choice. I have since realized though, that although scholarships and credentials would be nice, they are not as important as some of the things I have learned and some of the attendants I met. What I thought would be a chore, became nothing more than a positive learning experience and a “home away from home”. Sure things were difficult at times; the tight agenda, the campaigning, assuming the leadership role, so on and so forth. I had a fantastic time though. I made several good friends, ate good, expenses paid food, and participated in programs that made a positive impact on a pessimistic point of view. Some of the work was indeed hard, but it was definitely worth the week I would be sleeping away back in the scarcely populated community of “Leland”. I learned the importance of being an American and the role our veterans have paid so I could attend this program. In conclusion, I would like to reference the American Legion’s slogan, “Freedom is not free.” Opportunities are too often taken for granted. We have to work hard, like our veterans who died for our country, to get the reward we desire. The knowledge I gained at Boys state is the reward. |