2 days ago
Day 2 of Boys State includes social opportunities, primary election
WESTON, (WBOY) — Monday was the second day of Mountaineers Boys State, where rising seniors from throughout West Virginia try to organize their own state for the week, complete with elected officials, emergency responders, law enforcement, bankers and everything else a society might need.
12 News sat in on a meeting with the 'Nationalist Party,' where candidates were giving their stump speeches for the primary later in the day.
Director for American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Robbie Robinson said, 'It's better for the state, community and nation for us to do this, because a lot of the times [the students] are not getting how elections work in schools.'
Carry Jack Howell Morgan of Monongalia County ran for Governor. Morgan told 12 News he cares about politics and trying to find a way to cut through divisiveness in America.
'We're slowly damaging ourselves more and more every time we continue to just bicker and villainize each other,' Morgan said. He added that his goal coming into Boys State was to work on his public speaking and see if he could get into a leadership role.
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Outside of learning about the political process, Boys State also offers a unique opportunity for social development, giving students the opportunity to meet others from all around the state.
'There's guys that I know that came to this camp in 1962 and still are in touch with the boys they were in camp with here in Jackson's Mill,' Robinson said.
Zach Turner of Putnam County ran for Attorney General with the slogan 'Don't be whack, vote for Zach.' Turner said he's valued the social experience of Boys State so far.
'I think that's one of the biggest aspects of Boys State is learning about your peers, getting to know your peers and all your friends. I've already made a lot of friends.'
Boys State will continue through June 14. By the end of Tuesday night, they should know the result of the general election. If you want to keep up, you can follow the work of the students doing journalism at Boys State at
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