Texas Boys State News

Among the group of American Legion representatives that we encounter at Boys State stands a strong woman with ever deserved right to be here. I'm sure many delegates have already approached her to buy a t-shirt or a graduation cord during lunch hours. Wednesday afternoon I had the honor of interviewing this marvelous woman and getting to know her on a personal level. This is Mrs. Gerry Hince As I began my interview with Mrs. Hince we wasted no time getting right into personal questions such as why she would rather help at Boys State instead of Girls State. Considering that she is a woman at a camp for young men, I was more that excited to hear her reasoning on the topic. She began with informing me of how she had been associated with the organization for five years in Virginia because of her sons and then moving to Texas and being involved for about another great five years. “Tough love” is the phrase she used when speaking out on the issue of how the young mean learn by doing he...

Today the Statesmen of Texas Boys State marched to capital to visit the various offices of elected officials and to tour the facility. The day began with the Statesmen lining up to march together with the band in the lead playing different music pieces. The capitol building of Texas is an amazing feat of architecture. Many people were able to see the march and many were impressed by the uniformity of the Statesmen. The House and Senate members reported to their respective chambers and began debating and passing laws.  One bill in particular was highly favored by both chambers, the bill for secession. The senators and representatives of the Texas Boys State government passed the bill and created a constitution and a declaration of independence. This is the first time in Texas Boys State history that the government body decided to secede from the United States. The gallery of each chamber were cheering and celebrating because they have now made history by becoming a nation. After t...

The day immediately began with corrections to the runoff election and the Statesmen divided into their respective parties, with many heading to the capitol to commence the House and Senate sessions.  Meanwhile, the platform committees for each party made their stances on different current topics concerning not only the state of Texas, but also the United States. Ideas about a secession, ways to revitalize the economy, and a more strict immigration system were all mentioned during the committee sessions. By witnessing both party committee sessions, there are clear different stances, but some are quite similar. Later that afternoon visiting dignitaries from the House of Representatives and the Senate gave speeches and encouragements to the Texas Boys State government body which raised the morale in the already intense capital chambers. The other statesmen listened to different keynote speakers assigned to their district. The runoff election polls opened today and the Statesmen mad...

Blas Hernandez Welcome back to the official Texas Boys State blog. On Tuesday evening, the Talent Show tryouts began with so many Statesman filing into Littlefield lobby to showcase their own talent. Today, we met and interviewed with a remarkable young Statesman with the passion for music. A federalist from Flynt City, Blas Hernandez sings, plays piano and guitar with so much soul that he was willing to share his story with us about the amount of hard work he has dedicated towards music and what brought him here to Boys State and its Talent Show. JOHNNY SAMANIEGO: Welcome Blas Hernandez to Texas Boys State news. What city are you appointed to, here at Texas Boys State 2017? BLAS HERNANDEZ: Flynt City. SAMANIEGO: Great! So, what does Boys State mean to you? HERNANDEZ: Boys State is an opportunity of a lifetime to really become knowledgeable of the government and to maybe find your life’s purpose. SAMANIEGO: Now, it seems like your purpose here could also be with music oth...

On Day 2 of Boys State 2017, the recreational period began. This includes 7 on 7 Speedball, Basketball, Dodgeball, and Band. Here at Boys State 2017, we love to include everyone in every social and physical group. This is why we include all musicians in the Boys State Band. We may have signed up for the political activities, but many of us didn’t expect them to be as long and drawn out as they are. This is why recreational period is focused on freeing our minds from politics; it gives us a break, to say the least. Boys State band is such an outlet for many of our fellow Statesmen. We first met our band director, Mr. Smith; he explained to us of our duties to pump-up the Statesmen during our ending ceremonies, while also keeping the artistic beauty towards music for our “Boys State Song,” our “Star Spangled Banner,” and “Texas, Our Texas.” Just like in highschool, that artistry would be interpreted in different forms no matter where you came from. I literally felt like I was a freshm...

 Welcome parents, sponsors, and citizens, to the official newsletter for the American Legion’s annual Texas Boys State convention. This is the epitome of service-focused education for the beginning of Texas Leaders​. This is where young leaders learn how the government process works and how to be involved in their community. Though the Statesmen are surrounded by hundreds of other leaders from around the state, many will participate in different positions of leadership among their peers to prove to others and themselves that they, individually, serve a great purpose in political activities. This is the beginning of a long journey of contribution to our society. This is Texas Boys State 2017.  From these Statesmen across the state, Boys State 2017 had the privilege of accepting approximately 1,100+ Statesmen for this year's convention. All from different aspects of life, but all coming together to understand the process of creating a successful future. Many of us came her...

By Staff Reports  •  June 17, 2016 After a eventful day at LBJ, filled with rousing debates, an inspirational visit from former Navy SEAL Clint Bruce, and the much-anticipated gubernatorial election, the Statesmen rose Friday morning for one last day at Boys State. Statesmen were given the opportunity to attend a college fair with both in-state and out-of-state universities in Kinsolving Dormitory, and then met briefly with their cities for reflections and final remarks. Simultaneously, parents and sponsors met with Boys State staff to discuss the challenges and learnings that the Statesmen experienced throughout the week. An emphasis was placed on the importance of having attended Boys State to the successes of the Statesmen in their futures.  At the last general assembly in Gregory Gym, recognition awards, scholarships and Boys Nation candidates were announced, and a keynote address from General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush. Additionally, a...

By Dom Borbon June 17, 2016 An overwhelming atmosphere of unity and fellowship settled over the UT campus today as Statesmen went through their last full day of the Boys State Program. Statesmen gathered early in the morning to eat one of their last meals with their fellow Statesmen. After breakfast, all statesmen congregated together at the first general assembly of the day where general election speeches were presented by state candidates. Because of the number of candidates and length of speeches, general assembly lasted until lunchtime.  After eating lunch, statesmen departed from lunch to attend their respective county party conventions then to their district party conventions where county and district candidates presented campaign speeches. Finally, the second general assembly of the day commenced to hold keynote addresses, general election speeches for attorney general, lieutenant governor, and governor. Following speeches, a debate between state cand...