The American Legion’s Boys State program will have its annual encampment on the campus of Anderson University beginning June 10, 2012 and running to June 16, 2012.
The Boys State program is a unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government and politics by participating in a mock governmental system.
It is an honor to be chosen as a delegate to Palmetto Boys State. More than 900 rising seniors are nominated each year by their high school teachers and counselors to be delegates or “citizens” at Boys State. Those nominated are then interviewed and selected by the local American Legion Post. The program is as much leadership training as it is an opportunity to learn about and participate in government and politics. In fact, many of our state’s political, business, and community leaders attended Boys State.
While at Boys State, citizens will be divided into “cities” named for state rivers which make up “counties” named for famous South Carolinians. Citizens are also divided into two political parties from which they will campaign and/or elect city, county, and state officers. By doing so, citizens will learn about government and politics by participating in the process. They will have an opportunity to prepare speeches, compose party platforms, debate current issues, and vote for elected offices.
Boys State Citizens also have the opportunity to hear from some of South Carolina’s top leaders. The invited guest and speakers for this year are as follows:
Dr. Evans Whitaker, President of Anderson University, Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Rev. Sinclair E. Lewis, Secretary-Treasurer of Palmetto Boys State, Sunday June 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Terence Roberts, Mayor of Anderson and 1977 Palmetto Boys State citizen, Monday, June 11, 2012 at 9 a.m.
Representative Bakari Sellers, Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Monday, June 11, 2012 at 8 p.m.
The Honorable Harold W. “Trey” Gowdy, US House of Representatives, Fourth District, South Carolina, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 7:45 p.m.
The Governors Inauguaral Parade
There will be a parade to inaugurate the 2012 elected Boys State Governor at the State Capital on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11 a.m. The Girls State program and the Boys State program will join forces and march a parade route up Main Street in Columbia to the State Capitol. At the Capitol, the Boys State and Girls State Citizens will be joined by several distinguished guest to include:
The Honorable Steven Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia
Many of the State Constitutional Officers accompanying the elected Boys State and Girls State Constitutional Officers
The Honorable Jean H. Toal, Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court
The Honorable Nikki Haley, Governor of the State of South Carolina
Visit www.palmettoboysstate.com to learn more about the Palmetto Boys State program. A complete program guide and schedule may be downloaded from the Boys State web site at http://palmettoboysstate.com/assets/resources/program.pdf.
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