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Local Youth Attends NV Boys’ State

Moapa Valley Progress
Submitted May 21, 2008


Nevada Boys’ State (NBS) was held last week at the University of Nevada, Reno. The local American Legion Post 24 selected Moapa Valley High School senior Jonathan Oglesby to be this year’s attendee. Oglesby, was selected because of his leadership abilities his contributions to different community organizations.

Boys’ State, which is sponsored by the American Legion, is a program which is meant to educate the future leaders of America in the ways of democracy, patriotism, and committment to one’s state, country, and community. Boys’ State was established in Nevada in 1946 to help these reasons along and contribute to the future of the United States of America. The alumni include Harry Reid, Richard Bryan, and several current State Legislators.

Jonathan Oglesby stands at center with the other ‘Mayors’ at Boy’s State held last week in Reno.

At Boys’ State, participants are divided up into groups called cities. The city is the primary group in the program. The goal is for the city to become a functioning unit which sustains it’s interests and goals. Elections are held early on to determine the city officials. Oglesby won the race for the Mayor of his city.

The mayor and other city officials must then run the city and lead it through crises which include mock natural disaster, funding issues, and other real world scenarios.

Nevada Boys’ State offers special guest speakers, athletics and government partcipation sessions. The week concludes with an opportunity for all of the delegates to attend the NBS Legislative Sessions, Supreme Court Case, and Mayor Negotiations in Carson City.

The speakers included Secretary of State Ross Miller, State Legislator Mark Bobziek, the Mayor of Reno, and Reno TV Reporter John Tyson, a well known figure around the state for his features on Rural Nevada.

As the week goes on, Nevada Boys’ State is set up to be just like a state government. Boys participate in city government, political parties, and state government. “Every day, I would wake up and hear the overnight city news from my Chief of Staff. Then I would be involved with my political party before moving on to my committee where I presided over open debate on the different pieces of legislation,” Oglesby said.

On June 20, the delegates went to Carson City where the activities tool place within the State Capitol. “Carson City Day was exciting because, with the Special Session coming up, the capital was full of excitement,” said Oglesby.

At the Awards Evening, Oglesby was presented with the Honor Mayor award, an award which is given to best mayor as voted on by the staff. Oglesby also is the Nevada recipient of the Samsung Scholarship which is presented by Samsung to the American Legion in appreciation to America’s support of South Korea.

“It has been the best experience of my life,” Oglesby said after returning home. “I would recommend it to anybody interested in leadership or politics.”

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