On June 8, two Wylie High School students ventured to the Texas state capital to participate in the American Legion Boys State – an immersive six-day event in state civics and leadership. According to texasboysstate.com, the program teaches government from the township to state level.
“Participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.”
Incoming seniors Canyon South and Steven Cowling shared what it was like to build local and state governments (alongside about 1,200 others young men around Texas) and the life-long lessons instilled in them.
Canyon, who describes himself as more of an introvert, said he enjoyed it, but it took some time for him to embrace the experience.
“I was a little nervous. I knew one person [Steven] out of 1,200,” said South. “It was nerve-racking, shaking hands with so many people, but by the third day I was like ‘I like this, and I can do it.’”
South and Cowling rarely saw one another despite being members of the same party. Cowling said they represented different cities and counties; he equated cities to being members of separate cabins at a summer camp. They also held different roles – South was a part of the campaign communications team and Cowling was the delegate spokesperson for their party.
South said being organized into two parties fully emerged them in the election process rather than focusing on current political party agendas, and said counselors, who were past participants, acted like “guard rails” helping them stay on-task during the very hands-on, high-energy days, which ran from 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Cowling said despite the grueling schedule with little sleep, Boys State taught him to become a “master of social maneuvering” and to remain tenacious when things don’t go as you plan.
“It was a social crash course in politics and studying people,” said Cowling. “Bare minimum was not enough to succeed at Boys State with around 1,200 high achieving and high-ranking individuals who knew the political landscape. Learning to navigate through that and asking yourself, ‘How are you going to do it?’ taught me how to make an impression of others, persevere and to take action.”
South said his biggest lesson was learning to communicate and work with a diverse group of people with different life experiences and recommended that other Wylie juniors apply for the opportunity.
“I learned so many people skills…I’m pretty introverted, but this showed me that it’s fun to meet people and hear their views,” said South. “Go ahead and interview, put your name out there and give it a shot. It’s the most impactful experience I’ve had.”
To learn more about applying for Boys State or Girls State, which is a similar and separate program hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary, contact Wylie High School social studies teacher Mrs. Kendall Harrison at kendall.harrison@wyliebullddogs.org.