The American Legion Post #459 in Burton selected Cardinal High School juniors Aidan W. and Cole Z. to participate in the American Legion Buckeye Boys State held on the campus of Bowling Green State University June 14-21. This was an eight-day intensive education program on Ohio government, where each participant became part of the local, county and state government operations of a mythical 51st state.
At American Legion Buckeye Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective, practical and non-partisan with city, county and state government operated by students elected to the various offices.
Cardinal junior Cole Z. ran for and was elected to a county recorder position. “I worked very hard, usually putting in overtime most days,” says Cole. As a county recorder, Cole learned the logistics of the position and implemented them into the daily work routine in the county where he was elected. Part of the training and Boys State experience included a visit to the actual Recorder’s Office in Wood County, where the BGSU campus is located.
Cole’s work in the recorder position was noticed by Boys State Legionnaires who chose him to be interviewed as a possible candidate for Boys Nation. Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government.
Out of the 1,200 delegates in attendance at Buckeye Boys State, Cole was chosen as one of the 16 finalists for Boys Nation, though he was not selected as one of the two delegates to represent Ohio at Boys Nation. “The interview process for Boys Nation, and the entire Boys State experience itself was eye opening,” says Cole. “In addition to the Boys State government activities, there was also a college fair and seminar that I attended and learned a lot about colleges around the state as well as my true potential, which I had greatly under estimated. I was also chosen by the Legionnaires as an Outstanding Citizen and received a plaque showing this great achievement. The week was great and I grew really close to the forty delegates on my floor, which was surprising to say the least. It was a life-changing experience and far more powerful than I ever expected it to be.”
The cost of the camp was generously covered by the VFW Post #9678 of Middlefield.
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