They come for different reasons.

Some for a week of fun. Some because their friends came.

Some to garner scholarships and opportunities.

Some just to see what it’s all about.

Either way, they all leave with an experience which will shape their lifetime.

On Memorial Day weekend, 30 local high school seniors joined a total of 308 delegates from across the state for an unforgettable week of government-in-action, leadership, patriotism and friendship at Oklahoma American Legion Boys State at Rogers State University in Claremore.

Delegates attending from Kingfisher, Hennessey, Dover, Okarche and Okeene were sponsored by the Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson American Legion Post No. 5.

Additionally, the Frank H. Collings Post No. 111 in Edmond sponsored two students from Cashion High School.

A premier program for students who have completed their junior year of high school, delegates engage in leadership activities utilizing a hands-on approach to cultivate an understanding of government and civic responsibility, while also honoring America’s heroes.

Randomly assigned to “cities” for the week, delegates elect officials to run government operations at the municipal level with the opportunity to seek other positions of leadership at the county and state level.

Also incorporating American Legion core values, “For God and Coun- try,” delegates participate in daily opening and closing ceremonies which include prayer and honoring of the flag.

Attending the 84th session from Kingfisher County were: Donte Almanzar, Jaden Bain, Robert Barnett, Keylun Combs, Keynun Combs, Alezandro Cuellar, Christian Farrell, Deacon Harjo, Myles Harrison, Cale Leck, Matthew Mecklenburg, Brayden Osterholt, Ryan Sanders, William Shaver, Ayden Smith and Joaquin Wallace from Kingfi sher High School; Aidan Hardin, Westyn Hopkins, Taylor Ladwig, Peyton Moery and Blaney Sturgill of Hennessey High School; Nathan Cohee, Dover High School; Parker Schieber, Okarche High School; and Anthony Wilburn and Dagan Lloyd, Cashion High School.

Post 5 also sponsored five delegates from Okeene High School - Meade Brickman, Edan Chasteen, Wyatt Graham, Diego Lopez and Destry Swaim.

American Legion Auxiliary Oklahoma Girls State is also held Memorial Day weekend at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Attending from Kingfi sher High School were Isabella Mayberry and Karen Munoz.

Delegates have the opportunity to run for various elected offices and several Kingfisher County students threw their hats in the ring.

Others received gubernatorial appointments to various positions.

Barnett entered the race for attorney general and finished a close second behind the winner, Schieber was appointed to the Pardon and Parole Board and Hardin and Harrison served on the Court of Criminal Appeals.

More than 90 volunteers dedicate their time and talent to provide a fun and educational experience for the delegates and, as always, a faithful contingent from Kingfisher County were among them.

Kingfisher City Attorney and current Boys State Chief Operating Officer Jared Harrison has held many administrative roles in the organization for over 15 years and also had the privilege of seeing his son Myles attend as a delegate this year.

“I was looking forward to this year, but I tried not to tell him a lot about it because so much of it is just experiencing it when you’re there,” Jared said.

Everybody’s experience is different, so I wanted him to have the chance to just see it for what it is, he added.

It worked. Going into Boys State, Myles said, “My expectations were just about nothing.

“My dad told me almost nothing about it, so I was really just hoping that it wasn’t a military camp.”

Thankfully it wasn’t, he said.

Reflecting on the week, Myles said one of the things he enjoyed most was the people in his city.

“They made the whole experience so much better and I’m really glad that I met all of those new friends,” he said.

Additionally, some of the most impactful moments during the week, Myles said, was what he learned about leadership and how those skills will be helpful in his leadership roles on the golf team and KHS Photography staff.

Other staff from Kingfi sher included senior adviser to Boys State Director Dr. A.J. Johnson, who has over 50 years of service in the organization, Sam McPherson (Samsung scholarship coordinator), Matthew Miller (chief photographer), Dawson Leffingwell (band director), Andrew Long (photography staff) and counselors Dustyn McLean and Nick Tramel.

Students also engage in a broad array of activities including sports, band, a talent show and “special schools” conducted by professionals in law enforcement, homeland defense, journalism, fire and rescue and many others.

Another KHS delegate, Keylun Combs, commented on his experience at Boys State.

“I had a great time at Boys State! Everyone in my city were amazing!” said Combs, who served in the Senate during the week.

“In the senate, we had to hear bills and I also learned the need to respect the American flag and why we need to respect it,” he added.

After the pandemic, Boys State moved from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami to RSU, the former site of the Oklahoma Military Academy.

Since that time, Jared said the staff has spent the last several years fine-tuning the program and most of the activities were basically the same this year…except for one major difference.

Tornadoes… On the first night of arrival, Jared said the staff had to put their preparedness plan into action when tornadoes threatened to make their way onto campus.

“It threw a kink in everything that first night, but we were fortunate and the staff and kids did a great job getting 400 kids and staff from dorms to storm shelters in about six minutes,” he said.

Although there was very little damage on campus from the storm, Jared said the power was out for about 17 hours due to other tornado damage in the area and it actually provided for another real-life learning scenario.

“I got to use the famous Eisenhower quote ‘Plans are worthless, but planning is everything,’” he said.

“Because the staff spent time throughout the year planning everything out and knew how it should go, we were able to shift quickly and still get things done.

“It was a good life lesson for them, because that’s going to happen a lot in their future.”

During the week, delegates participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the OMA’s Killed in Action Memorial on Memorial Day, which includes 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, as well as other activities.

A list of distinguished guests were also on hand to talk to the delegates about various topics, including former Senator Rick Brinkley, OSU men’s basketball analyst and a former collegiate men’s basketball head coach Barry Hinson and former state representative and current Oklahoma Broadband Office Executive Director Mike Sanders.

As the week came to a close, Cashion’s Lloyd was honored with not only his city’s selection for the Newby Tyson award, but also the overall award.

The special award is given to an individual who displays the qualities of devotion to duty, volunteerism and patriotism without regard or concern for personal reward or recognition.

Osterholt was one of three delegates to receive the Dr. Richard Haass sponsorship.

As an additional benefit, the delegates also receive three credit hours at RSU for attending Boys State as well as the opportunity to receive up to $164,000 of scholarships offers, which Harrison said the staff is continually working to secure even more scholarship opportunities for delegates.

With a designated focus on simulating real-life scenarios in government operations, delegates are encouraged to run for various public offices.

Running for different positions, Myles said it was a little scary at first, but realized everyone was trying to run for something which made it much less intimidating.

“Serving as an appointed judge by the governor was a wonderful experience because it helped me learn some about what that part of the government was like,” he added.

Of the many things he experienced at Boys State, Combs said he learned “that it is best to get up and try even if the outcome of failure is more than the outcome of success.”

As an encouragement to those who might consider attending Boys State in the future, Myles said, “When you go, put yourself out there.

“It would have been a much worse time if I didn’t try to run for government jobs and make the most out of my time while there.

“Lastly, when you get done with Boys State, reflect on your experience because you will realize so much that you didn’t at first.”