It has been dubbed “The week that shapes a lifetime.”

Surrounded by many dedicated volunteers, more than 250 high school juniors, including seven Kingfisher County delegates, gathered Memorial Day weekend on the Rogers State University campus in Claremore to attend Oklahoma Boys State.

Sponsored by the American Legion, the immersive weeklong experience focuses on leadership, government and patriotism.

Founded in 1935 to counter socialism-inspired Young Pioneer camps, Boys State currently has programs in all states (except Hawaii) as well as in the District of Columbia.

Established as one of the premier programs of educational government instruction for U.S. high school students, Oklahoma Boys State utilizes a “hands-on” approach to cultivate an understanding of how government operates on the city, county and state level as well as developing leadership and patriotism.

Those attending from Kingfisher High School included Dustyn McLean, Kale Westfahl, Daniel Garcia, Jay Turner, Andrew Osborn and Nick Trammel, as well as Kolten Shaw from Dover High School.

With a long history of support for the program, Kingfisher’s Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson American Legion Post No. 5 provides tuition through local sponsors for all county delegates to attend Boys State.

A large contingent of volunteer mentors are always needed, but senior adviser to Boys State director and KHS history, government and photography teacher Dr. A.J. Johnson said they always have an exemplary staff, many of which have served for decades.

Through the years a strong local group of volunteers, fondly referred to as “the Kingfisher mafia,” have been a constant at Boys State, including former director Judd Kopp, Kingfisher City Attorney Jared Harrison and former delegate and U.S. Air Force veteran Sam McPherson, as well as many others.

Since serving as a delegate in 1966, Johnson has been active in Boys State for over 50 years in various capacities, including assistant director, and emphasized the impact the program has on today’s youth.

“It’s important because a lot of what we do isn’t being done,” he said.

Boys State teaches traditional things people assume children are learning, but often are not being taught, Johnson said.

“Boys State deals with critical issues that help keep the state and nation strong,” he added.

A former delegate and volunteer for more than 15 years, Harrison currently serves as the chief operating officer.

Previously hosted at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami for over 35 years, Harrison said the decision to transfer this year to the RSU campus, site of the former Oklahoma Military Academy, “made sense for many reasons” and it really ties into the program.

Located on campus are four monuments dedicated to Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson and a lone cadet which stands watch from the hill.

A night tour of the monuments provided an opportunity to teach the boys about each leader’s impact on America and also discuss the privilege and responsibility of each citizen in the electoral process, Harrison said.

Incorporating American Legion core values, “For God and Country,” throughout the week include daily opening and closing ceremonies with prayer and honoring the flag. A new flag pole was donated to the campus by the local American Legion Post No. 5 and was in use throughout the week during formations, Johnson said.

Of the many insights gained throughout the week, Westfahl said, “We learned the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag and what the flag represents.

“We learned a lot about the founding fathers and the image of a free country and also that voting is a huge privilege and right we have and should use.”

A significant focus during the week, Harrison said, was not only teaching students how the government operates, but teaching “leadership in the right way.”

“So much of what you see today is the thought that if you’re not with me, you’re my enemy, and that’s not the way it should work,” Harrison said.

With a forum of current legislators discussing opposing views on relevant issues, Johnson added, the delegates were able to observe how people could completely disagree, yet still be civil and respectful to each other.

“Another important thing we learned,” Westfahl added, “is that you can disagree with someone without having to feel like they are your enemy, which is something people often lack the ability to do today.”

Delegates were separated into groups of about 25 boys creating “cities” for the week and randomly assigned a position in the House of Representatives or Senate with the opportunity to seek positions within the judiciary or law enforcement and encounter various situations within their cities, which they must confront during the week.

Cities have experienced everything from sewer problems to an F5 tornado and delegates must work together within their budget and government system to come up with solutions, Harrison said.

Elected as mayor of one city, McLean engaged in a role of leadership to help solve some of the simulated municipal scenarios.

“The best way to learn is by doing,” Harrison added.

A list of distinguished guests such as Gov. Kevin Stitt, Lieutenant Gov. Matt Pinnell, veteran college basketball coach and OSU basketball analyst Barry Hinson as well as members of the legislature, jurists and representatives from all departments and levels of government were present during the week.

Other activities included the opportunity to participate in sports, band, chorus and a talent show.

Delegates also have the opportunity to learn from professionals in “special schools,” including law school, police academy, fire and rescue school, homeland defense school sponsored by the National Guard and journalism school.

Much of the community of Claremore got on board, Harrison said, with the police and fire departments, chamber of commerce, city and RSU administration all providing a significant positive impact on the program.

In addition to the three hours of college credit each delegate receives, Harrison said an unexpected $12,000 in scholarship money to attend RSU was awarded to each delegate.

As the week came to a close, some of Kingfisher’s own were recognized for their service.

Recent KHS graduate Matthew Miller performed photography duties throughout the week and was awarded the Star of Oklahoma medal, while Harrison received Boys State’s highest honor, the “Josh Drake Follow Me” Award.

“It is an honor I won’t forget,” Harrison said. “The award’s namesake was a true leader and visionary for the program and I’m definitely proud to receive it.”

As Harrison works yearround to help ensure the program is successful, Johnson said, “almost everything that happened had Jared’s fingerprints on it.”

At the end of the week, Johnson said the goal is for delegates to have gained an understanding of government, leadership and patriotism, as well as developed bonds with other young men, some making life-long friends.

“Hopefully we’ve planted a nugget in the back of their head that will help them with something later in life,” Harrison said, “… that they will be able to find their way in good and difficult times and do good in the world.”

Reiterating Boys State Director Corey Brooks’ words, Johnson said he hopes the boys take away the fact that, “What unites us is greater than what divides us.”

“I’ve been working with Boys State for nearly 55 years and I remain moved by the effect we have on those kids in just a week,” he added.

“I certainly witnessed many emotional moments where they developed a new sense of patriotism and gratitude for those who sacrificed for them.”

Recalling the experience, Westfahl said not only did he gain understanding about leadership, but grew closer to people he had never met before, to the point of feeling brotherhood with each and every one.

“I had a lot of fun experiences with the people I got to know there and we basically became a team working towards a goal every day,” he said.

“On top of that, some of the things I gained from it were the meaning of adversity, leadership, government and the most important is integrity and grit. While it was only a week, it felt like a lifetime of experience.”