| Marcus McNeal - Stater 2008
Boys Nation Senator
Attended Heights High School--Wichita, KS
My experience at Boys State of Kansas was nothing short of phenomenal. I started the week out nervous because I didn't know what really to expect, and I believe it went over and beyond what I expected. During the very first meeting we all had, my counselors told us the week depended all on us and what you put into it. So I decided to just go with the flow and get all I could from the week. I was in a political party that in real life had completely different views them myself, but stayed with the party because like they said "you will only get out of this week what you put into it". The beginning of the week was the campaigning for State positions, that really gave me an insight on the actual campaign process itself, and showing me that just because I didn't raise much money in the primaries that I could still come out on top beating people who raised a ton of money from the different special interest groups and individuals. The second half of the week was the an eye opening experience for me, about how quick people can get mad at thier elected officials if we didn't do what they wanted especially with the budget, and how people will circumvent the State laws. As Secretary of State I had to reform the voting in the counties and I wrote well thought out regulations and some counties didn't follow them at all. With the experience I gained running for Secretary of State I was elected to be one of the Boys State of Kansas Senators to go to Boys Nation. All in all my experience was a great experience with a lot of learning. I learned how to quickly write speeches and how to write multiple speeches about the same thing during the primaries, I was able to effectively get my message across to hundreds of people, I got an insight on the workings of the actual state government and election process. And one of the best things that happened was the lifelong friends I made. Boys State will always be near and dear especially since I want to be a politician.
~Marcus
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| Alex Jones - Stater 2008
Boys Nation Senator
Attended Shawnee Mission West High School--Lenexa, KS
I had heard about Boys State from older friends and teachers, and I have always had an interest in government - both federal and state. But I still didn't know what to expect. When I got there and learned about the amazing week ahead of me and met the guys I would spend it with I knew I would have a blast. We learned about how the government works not by reading a book or listening to a lecture, but by actually forming a fully functioning model. Of course, a government consisting of teenage males has a tendency to be a little strange... I got the opportunity to step outside of my normal self and become an outgoing politician. I was even lucky enough to be elected to Boys Nation for a week in Washington DC. I will always remember that amazing week at Boys State and the good friendships forged.
~Alex
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| Nick A. Brown - Stater 2007
City Council
Attended Turner High School--Kansas City, KS
My first year at Boys State I was pretty nervous, I was still new at the whole, being by myself and not knowing anyone thing. I went into it with a really open mind, because that’s the only way to go into any situation. The week started off great, I got a roommate that was the exact opposite of me; he was a country boy from western Kansas, and I was a city boy from Kansas City; we actually got along amazingly! I was elected to be a City Councilmen and I loved it! Our city was best city 2 of the days! Our county had to have been the best county! Bradley County! We had Bradstock one night and a couple of guys played guitar! The week finished off strong with everyone being one big happy family all emotional when we were talking about meeting everyone and how the week went! Then I got the amazing privileged to come back on Staff! And that had to have been one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had, getting to watch those guys grow throughout the week, coming in thinking they are all big and bad, and then leaving being best friends, I still talk to a lot of the guys I had that year. I am very much looking forward to this next week of Boys State!
~Nick
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| Vincent Lau - Stater 2007
Assistant Secretary of State
Attended Chanute High School--Chanute, KS
Before coming to Boys' State, I just thought that it was just a mock government camp. However, by the end of the week, I realized that I had gained an experience that will truly last a lifetime. When one goes to Boys' State, one gains a sense of civic responsibility so great that it is hard to believe that one has only been gone from home for just a week. Even though I may not have won the office I ran for at Boys' State, I truly believe that I learned much more from that failure than I ever have from my successes in life. I was also privileged to meet some of most talented guys in Kansas, and to this day I am proud to say that many of the friends I met for just over a course of one week are some of my closest friends. Boys' State is truly a week that lasts a lifetime.
~Vince
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| Thomas Gregory - Stater 2007
Boys Nation Senator
Attended Fort Scott High School--Fort Scott, KS
Boys State opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me. I didn't come away from my stater week with one specific skill like I would've at other summer camps. I came away with the knowledge and confidence to broaden my future and the ability to maximize my skills as a person. I did not come away from Boys State with just a week of memories and a few new friends. I left knowing that i just took part in something special. We like to say that it is a "week to change a lifetime" but to me, it was more of a week that "shaped" a lifetime.
~Thomas
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| Gavin Smith - Stater 2007
Mayor
Attended Salina Central High--Salina, KS
Boys State is a life changing experience. It is camaraderie and a world experience to rival all else.
The following is a brief overview of my week as a stater.
Carpooling from Salina to Manhattan with my high school buddy, I was excited and nervous. My mood quickly changed once we arrived after walking into a room of guys who looked uncomfortable and pissed off while the atmosphere reminded my of what I envision boot camp would be like. I was confused with what was going on and with what I was supposed to do. and the first two days dragged on forever. Unfortunately, in my frustration with those first days, few friends were made. Looking back, those days were wasted time that I could have spent having fun and building relationships.
Thankfully, the atmosphere as well as my attitude changed on the third day, this made all the difference. The guys in my city and county started loosening up and we really enjoyed that day. We might have started to enjoy it a little too much, and the counselors happily set us straight. Instead of ruining our mood and hindering the fresh-made relationships from continuing, it only brought us closer together.
The rest of the week flew by and I felt closer to most of the guys in my city than I had ever felt to most of the people at my high school. It was one of the most influential weeks of my life, and I recommend it to everyone.
I was chosen to come back the following year as staff, and I can only say the magic of Boys' State is magnified when you get to experience it as a counselor.
~Gavin
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| Cordero Lane - Stater 2005
City Council
Attended Highland Park High School--Topeka, KS
Looking back at my time at Boys’ State I can say that it was and still is one of the most important experiences of my life. I came into it being skeptical thinking it was just another summer camp, but it was much more than that. I was on the city council, and loved every second of it. I learned so much about government and I also learned skills that can be served in everyday life. I also met lots of great people there. From the counselors, to the mentors and advisors, I learned so much from my peers and most of these guys are now my best friends. Boys’ State is really one of those programs that you get out what you put into it. I think I have become a better man because of this program. It really was a week to shape a lifetime.
~Cody
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