Seniors Nick Zimmerman and Scout Perryman were selected to go to Boys State of Kansas presented by the American Legion in Manhattan on June 3 to 16.

“The purpose was  to recognize high school juniors, going to be seniors leadership and give those same boys an experience, a taste if you will, of state government and governmental proceedings,” Perryman said. “ It’s supposed to inspire kids to take an active interest in politics and just their community in general.”

Boys State was on the Kansas State University campus and 350 to 400 juniors from all over the state attended. The American Legion presents Boys State every year and with past experiences, only two males generally go.

“The whole week with these 400 boys, you are essentially running a fake Kansas,” Perryman said. “You had every single political position in Kansas, governor, commissioner of insurance, even down to city commission and everybody had a part in it and all the decisions that we made effected how the rest of the week went.”

The attendees elect the governor and from there he appoints his supreme court out of every kid in Boys State, Although the priority goes to the county judges.

Perryman said he was a county judge until he was appointed for supreme court.

Zimmerman said he was a part of the city council.

Male students become eligible to go by being a junior, they can either sign up themselves or they will be nominated. After getting nominated one would have to find a sponsor who would be willing to  donate to help them go.

“I really suggest going to Boys State because I had a lot of fun and if you’re interested at all in government or want to know more about government, go ahead and do it,” Perryman said. “It was a good experience, something that’s going to stick with me for the rest of my life. The slogan for the week was ‘A week that changed my life,’ and I think that’s true because I came back with a renewed passion for government and politics.”

21abraun@usd489.com