I can't explain to my non-Boys State friends why I choose to spend vacation time each summer teaching government and politics to high schools juniors. Not sure it makes much sense to me, either. Except, I get to see things like this several times each June. You don't get to see things like this just anywhere. I hope it explains it all better than I can.
Enjoy the summer, stay well, and catch up with us again in 2009.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Nasiatka Award Winner
The Nasiatka Award (na-SHAHT-ka) is considered the highest award at Boys State, beyond any elected office. I've know many of the Legionnaires who have made Massachusetts Boys State what it is today. Joe Nasiatka, unfortunately, was before my time. Before all but Larry DiCara, I believe. The award in his name is given to the Boys Stater who best personifies the principles that the program tries to teach. I count about six Nasiatka Award winners among my closest friends. They all have the quality of being just simply great people.
This year's Nasiatka Award Winner.
This year's Nasiatka Award Winner.
My Week at Boys State - Trevor Morini of T-3
This week has been an interesting and historic week full of surprises. I never would have thought that I was going to be in a final election for a state-wide office. Although I did not win, it was a great experience and I was honored to have even made it that far. In my first speech I felt very nervous, which was very surprising to me, because I usually am fine speaking in front of a lot of people. But in my last speech, I decided that I wasn’t going to read word-for-word, and that seemed to work out a lot better for me; kind of Ironic, as I did not win this time, but I did last time.
Anyway, the historic part of the week was when Boys’ State and Girls’ State had a joint event for the first time ever! It was nice to see the ladies after four days of nothing but guys. But the most fun I had this week was either being in the race for Auditor (also very stressful) or writing for the Boys’ State daily newspaper, The Citizen.
GO T-3!
My Week at Boys State - Brian McCarthy of C-5
This past week here at Boys’ State has definitely been an interesting one. My experiences have been plentiful and the fellows in C5 have turned out alright as well. The food’s been good, classes great, and I haven’t missed my Teddy Bear tooooo much. I had a great run in my campaign for Lt. Governor, and although I lost, I can definitely say that I had fun with it and learned something the entire course of events. There are some great people that attend and work at this program, and the lectures and speeches given by Mr. Larry DiCara have been nothing less than Grade A. There is truly something for everyone to do here, and the competitive spirit seen in sports and debates has all been in great fun. Friendships have been made, rivalries have been ignited between towns and cities, and mostly everyone has reveled in seeing the Celtics win one of their first championships in many a year. Mr. DiCara said something in his Government lecture the other day something along the lines of this: “It’s not the one with the most money or the most credentials, but the one who cares the most.” Regardless of party affiliation, Nationalist or Federalist, male or female (I still can’t find any girls here. I think they’ve been hiding) I think that everyone here cares at least a little bit. And if you only came here for unlimited hookups and free gift bags, then I’m sorry fellas. This is Brian McCarthy signing out. Stay classy Boy’s State.
Boys State Ends. . .
It's noon on Friday and the kids are all on their way home. The blog team is also.
Later this evening, I'll go through whatever stray photos or video we have and post a few last items, and then we'll likely close this down for the year. It worked out really well, I think. Better than any of us expected. And, to that end, when we do it again for the 2009 Boys State Program, it would be helpful if you could add whatever comments, constructive criticism (because Boys State is very democratic), and suggestions you might have. This thread would be the place for that sort of thing, and we've removed any log-in requirements, so anyone can post. Anonymously, even.
Thanks to all those who followed over the course of the week. Our web traffic told us that more people were visiting this blog each day, so it forced us to put more work and time into it, all of which made it better for people at home and, it can't be understated, a better record of what we here at Boys State do.
Thanks again, and enjoy the summer months.
Later this evening, I'll go through whatever stray photos or video we have and post a few last items, and then we'll likely close this down for the year. It worked out really well, I think. Better than any of us expected. And, to that end, when we do it again for the 2009 Boys State Program, it would be helpful if you could add whatever comments, constructive criticism (because Boys State is very democratic), and suggestions you might have. This thread would be the place for that sort of thing, and we've removed any log-in requirements, so anyone can post. Anonymously, even.
Thanks to all those who followed over the course of the week. Our web traffic told us that more people were visiting this blog each day, so it forced us to put more work and time into it, all of which made it better for people at home and, it can't be understated, a better record of what we here at Boys State do.
Thanks again, and enjoy the summer months.
Troubadours
We met Jesse earlier in the week over breakfast. Thursday night, we caught him roaming the hallway with his guitar and a group of jolly minstrels.
Problems with Google Video
Unfortunately, Google hasn't fixed its video problems as definitely as we'd hope. I found that it's a fairly common problem, and I expect that video clips will suffer occasional problems freezing up. Until I can figure out a better and more permanent solution, please check back occasionally to see if the problem has been repaired.
This is disappointing.
EDIT: The video seems to play better if you click on the individual post title where the video is posted and open it into its own window.
This is disappointing.
EDIT: The video seems to play better if you click on the individual post title where the video is posted and open it into its own window.
You can help us. . .
I don’t feel entirely comfortable taking the spotlight off this amazing group of 2008 Boys Staters even for a moment, but I would be missing an opportunity to promote a program that they all seem to enjoy, and one that I love, if I didn’t tell you who followed this blog that you can help. I choose my words carefully. It isn’t that you must; but, you can. And, if you know that and understand it, then I’ve done all the soliciting I feel comfortable doing.
Thank you.
- You can speak with your high school principal, guidance counselor, teachers, or whoever else would be responsible for sending the next generation of Boys Staters to the program. You would be doing Boys State a tremendous service by sending a letter to your school and telling them how much your son enjoyed his week at Boys State.
- You can, when you hear someone mention the name “Boys State,” go out of your way to speak of it fondly. Even for counselors and staff who have been with the program for years, explaining it to someone else is difficult. This blog may have done as good a job as any at explaining Boys State, but our best brochure for this Program is in the talent and success of the students who leave it.
- You can apply to join staff; understanding, though, that it’s a week of vacation time where you’ll work hard and earn nothing but the satisfaction of participation.
- And, finally, you can certainly donate to help us send the next generation of Boys Staters to the program. The Boys State Foundation in 1993, the year of its founding, sponsored two students to Boys State. In 2007, the Foundation sponsored 40. This year, the Foundation sponsored 72 boys to Boys State and 8 girls to Girls State. If Boys State was a good experience for your son, you can help with that next generation of students.
Thank you.
Your Boys State Elected Officials
Dimitri Clarke, Auditor
"I’m going to tell my brother to come. Force my brother to come, actually. . . . And when you go back to your high schools, you’re all seniors, everyone listens to you, tell your teachers, request your students to go to Boys State and Girls State because it was one of the best experiences of my junior year."
Ryan MacPherson, Treasurer
"Kids get so much bad press these days. You hear about drunk driving and all this stuff and I look out here and the 350 some-odd kids, and honestly I have no idea what they’re talking about because these are some of the most amazing individuals I have ever met in my life."
Greg Gaffney, Secretary of State
“I heard about this in my history class, and no one made a big remark to it, and I put my name down just to see what’s up. . . I like government and I like politics, but I never thought I’d be up here. Never.”
Matt Russell, Attorney General
“When the time comes for us to lead the way in politics, or medicine, or whatever we’re doing, we can do this, because we’re together, we’re united, we’re not cut across party lines. We’re going to change America. We’re going to do it, and it’s going to be amazing.“
Matthew Cipollone, Lt. Governor
“Considering I came here with no intent to run for anything, I feel honored to be here. When my friend first told me about it, I said ‘Sure, I’ll see how it is, and if things don’t go too well, I’ll just spend the whole time with (the two kids I came with)'. . . . I’ve spent less than 15 minutes with each of them.”
Douglas Dame, Governor
(speaking of his Boys State friends)” I stopped for a second and they to this moment don’t know why I just stopped and looked around for a minute. . . but I looked at them and thought to myself that, in that moment, I had made friends that I’m going to have for the rest of my life. . . That was my moment of realization.”
Adam Formica, United States Senator
“When I hear it from people my own age, it really sinks in, and I really do see that people do see the world in different ways. They think in different ways, and it’s really been me coming to that understanding. And the only successful way to deal with that is just letting your voice be heard, being respectful, being sincere.”
Jeffrey Pereira, United States Senator
“When we’re here. . . we just embrace each other. And, what make me feel most. . . what makes me feel so good, is when after I was done with my speeches, and you guys came up to me – it could be anybody – and you shook my hand and you said, “Hey Jeff, I loved what you said today.”
"I’m going to tell my brother to come. Force my brother to come, actually. . . . And when you go back to your high schools, you’re all seniors, everyone listens to you, tell your teachers, request your students to go to Boys State and Girls State because it was one of the best experiences of my junior year."
Ryan MacPherson, Treasurer
"Kids get so much bad press these days. You hear about drunk driving and all this stuff and I look out here and the 350 some-odd kids, and honestly I have no idea what they’re talking about because these are some of the most amazing individuals I have ever met in my life."
Greg Gaffney, Secretary of State
“I heard about this in my history class, and no one made a big remark to it, and I put my name down just to see what’s up. . . I like government and I like politics, but I never thought I’d be up here. Never.”
Matt Russell, Attorney General
“When the time comes for us to lead the way in politics, or medicine, or whatever we’re doing, we can do this, because we’re together, we’re united, we’re not cut across party lines. We’re going to change America. We’re going to do it, and it’s going to be amazing.“
Matthew Cipollone, Lt. Governor
“Considering I came here with no intent to run for anything, I feel honored to be here. When my friend first told me about it, I said ‘Sure, I’ll see how it is, and if things don’t go too well, I’ll just spend the whole time with (the two kids I came with)'. . . . I’ve spent less than 15 minutes with each of them.”
Douglas Dame, Governor
(speaking of his Boys State friends)” I stopped for a second and they to this moment don’t know why I just stopped and looked around for a minute. . . but I looked at them and thought to myself that, in that moment, I had made friends that I’m going to have for the rest of my life. . . That was my moment of realization.”
Adam Formica, United States Senator
“When I hear it from people my own age, it really sinks in, and I really do see that people do see the world in different ways. They think in different ways, and it’s really been me coming to that understanding. And the only successful way to deal with that is just letting your voice be heard, being respectful, being sincere.”
Jeffrey Pereira, United States Senator
“When we’re here. . . we just embrace each other. And, what make me feel most. . . what makes me feel so good, is when after I was done with my speeches, and you guys came up to me – it could be anybody – and you shook my hand and you said, “Hey Jeff, I loved what you said today.”
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Photos from Inauguration
We have quite a bit of video. Clips of each of our new Boys State Constitutional officers will be available shortly, but it's going to take a while to upload. In the mean time, here are just a few of the photos we shot.
We have quite a bit of video. Clips of each of our new Boys State Constitutional officers will be available shortly, but it's going to take a while to upload. In the mean time, here are just a few of the photos we shot.
We have quite a bit of video. Clips of each of our new Boys State Constitutional officers will be available shortly, but it's going to take a while to upload. In the mean time, here are just a few of the photos we shot.
Inauguration Night
The Honorable Dennis J. Curran, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, will preside over Inauguration Night at Massachusetts Boys State, and will administer the oath of office to all of our newly elected Boys State officials. Each elected official will then address the Boys State citizenry one final time. We will be sure to take plenty of photos, as well as a clip or two of their speeches, all for posting later this evening.
Thursday night at Boys State is traditionally a social night for Boys Staters. No municipal or other business following Inauguration. Counselors collect money for pizza and soda and allow Boys Staters an ounce more of freedom in celebration of a productive and successful week.
In addition to Inauguration photos and video, we were able to catch an interview with Boys State Governor Doug Dame in the afternoon before his Candidates Forum speech and debate. If and when that finishes uploading, we'll post that up.
Inauguration runs from 8:00-10:00, so we will try to have something up by 11:00 or so.
Thursday night at Boys State is traditionally a social night for Boys Staters. No municipal or other business following Inauguration. Counselors collect money for pizza and soda and allow Boys Staters an ounce more of freedom in celebration of a productive and successful week.
In addition to Inauguration photos and video, we were able to catch an interview with Boys State Governor Doug Dame in the afternoon before his Candidates Forum speech and debate. If and when that finishes uploading, we'll post that up.
Inauguration runs from 8:00-10:00, so we will try to have something up by 11:00 or so.
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