Morrisville State College to Host 2011 Boys State

Morrisville State College will be hosting more than 1,100 high school junior boys and staff at this year's Boys State government camp, sponsored by the American Legion, June 26 to July 1.



Classified as a Leadership Action Program, Boys State accepts young men with outstanding qualifications in leadership, character, service and citizenship, who reflect on the image of the youth of America.



Boys State is an objective citizenship training program. It includes individual responsibility to the community, state, and the nation, operating on a two-party system based on the political government organization in New York state at all levels from local governing bodies to the state.



Developed to educate young men and create an interest in the operation and structure of the government, giving them a better perspective of the system, they learn the importance of the individual in the success and progress of the government. The program also provides training in leadership, character and citizenship development.



Participants will also have a daily physical program including calisthenics and marching to meals in preparation of a parade, one of the high points of the program.



Scheduled to speak are various government officials, including: Kevin Brown, a former Boys State Governor and Boys Nation delegate on Sunday, June 26; Scott MacNamara, Oneida County district attorney and Fred Ashforth, an experienced speaker, writer, trainer and consultant who owns Ashforth Associates on Monday, June 27; U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna and Colin Schmitt, a former Boys' State participant and Boys Nation delegate on Tuesday, June 28; State Sen. Joseph Griffo and Helen Sperling, a Holocaust survivor, and an ROTC representative, all on Wednesday, June 29; and Col. Noel T. Nicolle and Master Sgt. MacEnerney of Fort Drum and Ron Taylor, a former Boys' State Governor and Boys Nation Delegate on Thursday, June 30.



Boys' State was developed by the American Legion in 1938 and its participants have influenced real government legislation in the past. The junior driving license issued at the age of 16 was an idea passed on to the legislature in the 50s by Boys' State. Well-known participants who have participated in Boys State include: former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and astronaut Neil Armstrong.



Boys State participants who choose to attend Morrisville State College are eligible for scholarships.