Young men from across Pennsylvania gathered at Shippensburg University June 19-25 to attend Keystone Boys State (KBS), a weeklong civic leadership program organized by the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. A total of 237 rising high school seniors attended the program this year, where they learned about leadership, state and local government and civic participation. Participants are among the best and brightest of Pennsylvania’s future leaders.
Among those who attended were local seniors from Berks County: Christopher Kubitz, Oley Valley High School; Jacob Barr, Hamburg Area High School; Conor Birmingham, Daniel Boone High School; Michael Silver, Berks Catholic High School; and Ricky Whitmoyer, Jr., Exeter Township Senior High School.
Boys State was founded in 1935 by two Illinois Legionnaires to teach young men about the rights, privileges and responsibilities of American citizens. The program focuses on hands-on participation in simulated city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, KBS activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, a band and recreational programs. The program has produced such notable alumni as President Bill Clinton; KBS graduate Adm. Jon Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito; Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker; astronaut Neil Armstrong; noted national news anchor Tom Brokaw; businessman and former basketball player Michael Jordan; and entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, among others.
“The young men who attended KBS this year exceeded our high expectations,” said KBS Director Jacques Weedon. “Through participation in a simulation of the political process, they are presented with the problems facing communities across Pennsylvania and learn to compromise and collaborate to solve them. I have full faith that they will take these lessons home with them inspired to solve those problems for real.”
The simulated city councils and state legislature of this year’s program passed legislation fighting poverty, improving public schools, reducing urban blight and incentivizing innovation – all challenges facing Pennsylvania.
“Keystone Boys State was an incredible week,” said Will Lewis, the elected Governor of Keystone. “It taught me the skills of communication, time management and also the value of working with others to accomplish a common goal.”
Four young men were chosen to lead the fictional state of Keystone this year. Participants elected Will Lewis and Andrew Harris, both of Erie, as governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. Nick Pantellis II, of Pittsburgh, and Emmanuel Jones, of Bensalem, were selected to represent the Department of Pennsylvania at the American Legion’s Boys Nation program in Washington, D.C., where they will build on what they’ve learned at KBS through participation in a simulation of the U.S. Senate and meetings with members of Congress and President Barack Obama. All four young men received a $1,000 scholarship for college from the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania.
In addition, Scott Allen Soccio, of Greensburg, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the American Legion. He will compete against nearly 100 other selectees from other states for several $20,000 scholarships sponsored by the Samsung Corporation, given each year to an outstanding KBS participant who is the direct descendant of a wartime veteran.
“Over the years, Boys State has produced a long line of outstanding individuals who are leaders in their communities and have made exceptional contributions to our nation,” said Darren Fossett, KBS Dean and 2006 alumni. “KBS has graduates who are doctors, educators, military leaders, elected representatives and businessmen. The success of our graduates is a testament to the power of this week and the work of the American Legion to strengthen the core values and institutions of the United States.”
This year’s attendance was the largest in more than a decade. The program is free to participants, who receive a sponsorship from their local American Legion Post.
Applications for next year’s Keystone Boys State, which will be held (tentatively) June 18-24, 2017 will open in fall 2016.
Interested individuals can apply online through the website of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania (http://pa-legion.com/programs/student-programs/keystone-boys-state/).
