My 17-year-old son spent last week in Sacramento at Boys State, run by the American Legion. Nine hundred boys, one chosen from each California high school, spent the week learning about how government works. They had to pass the bar, give speeches, run in primaries for elected offices, then run for the elected offices, debate in oral arguments, and visit the Capitol.
The elected Boys State governor and lieutenient governor met with the real California governor: Arnold Schwarzeneger. The Boys State governor thought it would be funny to push Schwarzeneger out of the center of the photograph.
Arnold was not amused. Not at all.
He was having a hard week, anyway. Then add to that, some kid with attitude.
The Boys State governor ended up resigning and was sent home. And it’s possible that Boys State will not be invited to the state capitol next year.
Just goes to show you there is book smart, and then there is smart smart. Like…common sense smart. Which…that boy didn’t have.
Anyway…two boys are elected from each state’s Boys state to attend Boys Nation, held in Washington D.C.
This picture of Bill Clinton, who was one of those boys chosen to go to Boys Nation and shook hands with JFK.
All in all, it was a very positive and educational week for my son, who is now convinced he does not want to go into politics.
I would say the picture fiasco amazes me but, sadly, it is pretty typical of the way I've seen so many teens act. Parents are not teaching respect and proper behavior any more. (And part of this is because many of the parents don't know how to act either. But I won't drag out my soapbox!)
I'm glad your son had an overall good impression of the trip and it didn't totally ruin it for him.