Seniors Participate in Boys Nation
Seniors Ryan Walsh, Sam Martin, and Will Carter had a busy summer focused on civic engagement and leadership, beginning with their participation in Green Mountain Boys State. The American Legion-sponsored program brings high school students together to learn about government, citizenship, and leadership through hands-on experience as participants create their own mock government.
At Green Mountain Boys State, Sam was elected Lt. Governor, and Will was elected Speaker of the House.
After Green Mountain Boys State, two boys are selected from each state to attend Boys Nation, one of the nation’s premier civic leadership programs for high school students. Ryan (left, above) and Sam (middle, above) were selected to represent Vermont at the 80th session of the event, held in Arlington, Virginia.
At Boys Nation, Ryan and Sam joined outstanding student leaders from across the country for a week of learning about the federal government, participating in a model Senate, and meeting with national leaders.
For Ryan, highlights of the trip included having his bill become the first signed by the Boys Nation President and meeting Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Ryan also served as the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate.
Highlights for Sam included serving as a member of the Senate Calendar Committee, working on pushing bills through the Senate and learning about the politics of how bills get passed, sitting in on committees on Capitol Hill, meeting congressmen, including Bernie Sanders, and learning from many inspiring leaders from government and the military who came to Boys Nation.
The experience gave the seniors an opportunity to deepen their understanding of government and public service while connecting with students from across the United States.
