“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free… it expects what never was and never will be.” - Thomas Jefferson, 1816 It’s known as the week that shapes a lifetime.

At this year’s 85th annual event, over 300 delegates gathered May 24-31 for American Legion Oklahoma Boys State at the site of the former Oklahoma Military Academy on the Rogers State University campus in Claremore.

Delegates engaged in a week of a hands-on learning focused on civic duty, leadership, teamwork, government and patriotism.

Among those attending from Kingfisher High School were Jeremiah Burpo, Josh Finley, Joseph Homier, Wyatt Long, Ethan McLean, Abe Prieto, Andrew Takape, TJ Washington, Jackson Willbanks and Cooper Young.

Local delegates, includ- ing Hunter Buck of Okarche High School and several delegates from Okeene and Waukomis, were sponsored by the Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson American Legion Post No. 5.

A premier program for young men who’ve completed their junior year of high school, Oklahoma Boys State is a patriotic, non-partisan government program that emphasizes God and Country.

Utilizing a simulated government approach, delegates are randomly assigned to “cities” for the week, then elect officials to government operations at the municipal level with the opportunity to seek other positions of leadership at the county and state level.

Of the top 11 elected positions, Kingfisher was represented by Washington as a corporation commissioner and Young served as the commissioner of labor.

As one of three corporation commissioners, Washington said initially he didn’t realize how much power commissioners had until he researched the position’s role online.

Another cool and interesting situation which occurred, Washington said, when oil companies were teaming up to buy other oil companies, which was “kind of funny because we couldn’t really do much (about it).”

Overall, Washington said he enjoyed most everything about Boys State, especially the people.

“This was another great year,” said Kingfisher City Attorney Jared Harrison who serves as Boys State chief operating officer.

“It seems like every year continues to get a little better. “The delegates seemed to come together as a team very quickly this year and they were able to problem solve issues that arose, coming together to make decisions so everything worked well for the simulated government.”

Delegates started the week off on Memorial Day by participating in a solemn service to honor veterans and their sacrifices.

A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at the OMA’s Killed in Action Memorial, which included a three-volley salute and the playing of “Taps.” A night tour of the four campus monuments dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and a lone cadet which stands watch from the hill was also a part of the day.

Throughout the week, a list of distinguished guests were on hand to speak with the delegates about various topics, including state Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former Speaker of the House Charles McCall.

Representatives from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum also presented a program centered around the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

The program primarily focused on teamwork, better communication and promoting a healthy attitude towards those with different opinions, Harrison said.

“It tied in really well with a lot of things we try to focus on in the Boys State program,” he said.

Additionally, students engaged in a broad array of activities including sports, band and “special schools” conducted by professionals in law enforcement, homeland defense, journalism, fire and rescue and many others.

Reflecting on the many activities of the week, Washington said he enjoyed the classes, particularly the Bill of Obligations, which made him feel more capable and knowledgeable about what actually goes on in our government.

Additionally, one of the things he recognized most about his experience was growth, “especially if you tried to put yourself out there,” he said.

“You would find that you had grown every day in some aspect and it was like school, but you wanted to be there,” he added.

Through their participation in the program, delegates also have the opportunity to receive three credit hours at RSU, which will possibly also meet the high school graduation requirement for a U.S. Government course, as well as the opportunity to receive up to $218,000 of scholarship offers.

Each year a multitude of volunteers dedicate their time, effort and skills to ensure a positive learning experience as well as a time of building friendships for the young men in attendance.

Through the years there has been a healthy contingent of volunteers from Kingfisher County and this year was no different.

Serving in varying capacities for many years, Harrison was previously awarded Boys State’s highest honor, the “Josh Drake Follow Me” Award and has also recently been selected to serve as deputy administrative director at Boys Nation.

With less than 35 staff members from across the country selected to serve at Boys Nation, Harrison said, “It is definitely a huge honor.”

Additionally, Dr. A.J. Johnson, a longtime photography and history teacher at KHS, currently serves as senior adviser to Boys State director, assists with the photography program and has over 50 years of service to the organization.

Other local volunteers this year included Sam McPherson (Samsung scholarship coordinator), Dawson Leffingwell (band director), Andrew Long (videographer), Myles Harrison (photographer) and Patrick McClung (journalism program director).

Reflecting on the week’s events, Harrison said, from a Kingfisher perspective, it was another phenomenal group of kids and that he saw more of them around campus and involved in different parts of the government simulations than in any past year.

“They are certainly young men that our community can be very proud of and expect to see great things out of in the future.

“While people like to groan about ‘the new generation,’ seeing the Kingfisher delegates in action at Boys State reminded me, once again, that we as a community are in great hands moving forward with many of the youth we have in Kingfisher.”

[ Editor’s note: Jared Harrison was selected this year to serve on the staff of the 79th session of American Legion Boys Nation, which is currently taking place this week in Washington, D.C. Read about Harrison’s thoughts about the selection and the impact Oklahoma Boys State has had on his life in the weekend edition.]