On Nov. 13, American Legion Post 353 honored seven boys who participated in the Boys State program over the summer. The boys, who attend either Cornwall Central High School or New York Military Academy, were invited to the monthly meeting to talk about their experience. Each received a certificate and a medal from the Legion. NYMA students included Austin Pagano, Jr. and Robert Schroeder III. Matthew Wheeler, Maneesh Rajkumar, Michael Vecchio, Alex Combs, and Luke Darling attend Cornwall Central High School.
Tom Quinlan, co-chair along with Bill Fogarty, said usually the Legion can only afford to send one or two delegates to Boys State. This year, parents were asked to help out and donations came in from the other Legion members.
Founded in 1935, American Legion Boys State provides government instruction for U.S. high school students. It’s a participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county, and state government. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
The week-long program also includes the proper procedures of drill (marching), room preparation, and physical training, as conducted by the United States Marines.
During the Legion meeting, all seven boys agreed it was a great experience, but none of them knew what to expect before they attended. Darling said his brother went two years ago and even he didn’t prepare his younger brother. Despite the lack of knowledge when it came to the toughness of physical training, when asked by Legion member Ed Flynn if there’s anything that can be done to better prepare future participants, all the boys agreed it’s best to have as little knowledge as possible and allow the experience to come as a complete shock.
Wheeler and Combs said they would both use the experience to possibly join the Armed Forces. Combs added he’d like to join the American Legion one day.
Rajkumar said it was the greatest week of his life and he didn’t want to leave. Like Combs, he valued most the close-knit bonds he formed with some of the other participants outside of the Cornwall delegation.
Vecchio shared a funny story about how when he ran for city officer against three other boys, he promised to do everyone’s push-ups if he was elected. He won the election and was later tested on his promise.
Learning about government and running for various positions sparked some real interest from a couple of the boys, like Wheeler, who said he’d like to have a say in government at the town, county, or local level.
