My Take On Attending Maryland Boys State

Photo by Joe Andrucyk-

By Wyatt McDowell / Boys State Attendee

I had a blast, to say the least, from June 21st to June 27th  at Maryland Boys State, and the education and friendships I gained couldn’t have been established anywhere else.

The entire 186 attendees of Boys State were divided into 5 Cities which were Goldstein, Darr, Flag, Fort, and Legion city. I myself was part of Goldstein city, with 34 other high caliber high school students. We had the honor to hear Delegate Tony O’Donnell, Secretary of Veterans Affairs George Owings III, LT. COL Acke, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, Ret. Major Myers, and many more speakers presented to us. On Thursday, June 26^th, we had the honor to visit the Maryland State House, where were able to get our group picture taken with Lt. Governor Rutherford.  I built friendships with students from all over the state of Maryland, ranging from Washington County, all the way to the eastern shore.

The main mission of Maryland Boys State was to establish our own governments as a city to “overthrow” the said “dictatorship” of the legionnaires. Each city was to construct its own charter to establish their independence. In this charter, the powers of the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches were outlined, as well as the rights of the citizens. Countless hours were spent on these charters.

I was part of the committee of about 8 people to write and establish said charter. The education was far more superior to what we learn in school today. All 186 of us ran a mock general assembly, where actual bills from Annapolis were assigned to committees, presented on the floor, debated, and passed or terminated.

Also we got to experience firsthand the process of campaigning, and elections. Maryland Boys State was a blast, I am truly thankful for my local American Legion for sponsoring my experience.