Changes Ahead For Boys State
By Michael Smith, Staff Writer
6/24/2007
As you all know, Boys State will no longer be held in Lansing next year. Instead, it will be held at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. Personally, I think this is sad because it ends a seventy year tradition of Boys State at Michigan State. This made me think about the future of Boys State and where it is headed. It also made me wonder what caused this change to happen. On Wednesday, I had the great privilege of interviewing Mike Williams, the commander of the American Legion Department of Michigan. I asked him what he sees in store for Boys State in the future, and how he feels about the program as a whole.
Mike Williams, the commander of the American Legion Department of Michigan
Me: What state did Boys State start in?
Mike: Boys State started in Illinois in 1937. Michigan started soon after in 1938.
Me: What benefits do Boys Staters have that their peers don’t?
Mike: Boys State gives them a heads up of what they want to do in life. We really need young people involved. Also, within a year Boys State might even count for college credit. In fact, some states are already doing this.
Me: Did you go to Boys State?
Mike: No, I lived in a small community and they didn’t have enough money.
Me: What do you think is the goal of Boys State?
Mike: To teach young people how the process of government works.
Me: What is the hardest part of your job?
Mike: Going and seeing injured veterans in hospitals is emotionally difficult.
Me: What is your favorite part of your job?
Mike: Interacting with legionnaires, the state legislature, and youth programs such as Boys State.
Me: Why is Boys State being moved?
Mike: The only way we can afford to continue it is to move it.
Me: How will Northwood be better? Was MSU not meeting standards?
Mike: Northwood is not a better facility or location; it’s strictly because of economics that we’re moving it.
Me: How will things change because of this?
Mike: Only the elected officers will get to go to the capital to be sworn in. We would like to be able to transport all the participants down to the capital, but it’s going to be difficult. There is also going to be a smaller group of kids attending Boys State. The good thing about this is that they may get more exposure to the real government because they are a smaller group.
Me: What do you foresee in the future of Boys State?
Mike: We have some ideas to enhance the number of delegates. We want to come up with alternate sources of participants, because not every community has an American Legion post. We are working with different programs in order to get more delegates to attend. We are going after other areas of Michigan, and my great hope is that someday Boys State will have greater numbers than it has now.
Much thanks to Mike for his time. I appreciate his commitment to this program and to students throughout the state.