For nearly 75 years, the American Legion in Ohio has spent a week each year teaching boys about government.

‘ For the last 31 years, Buckeye Boys State has taken place at the University.’ Buckeye Boys State will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 13′ and will close at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 21.’

‘ The program is expected to draw nearly 1,200 boys from high schools all over the state of Ohio.

‘ Gerald White, the director of Buckeye Boys State, is preparing for the hands-on program that will include guests like Gov. Ted Strickland and Mayor John Quinn.’ The workshop will focus on the organization, procedures and operations of state government, White said.

‘ The program will also have governments set up at the state, county and city levels, he said.’ As a part of the program, one boy will be awarded the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The scholarship was created as a way for Samsung (based in Seoul, South Korea) to recognize the U.S. involvement in the Korean War.

‘ The award is only handed out to about 10 students from a pool of around 100 nominees selected prior to the event.’ Non-U.S. residents are also welcome to attend the event, White said, adding that there is no better way to encourage someone to become a citizen than to show them how the system works.’

‘ ‘A few years ago a young man actually asked to be sworn in as a citizen at Buckeye Boys State,’ he said. ‘He had gone through all that was necessary except being sworn in and at the request of his parents, he was sworn in.’

‘ The people who have participated in Buckeye Boys State have remained in touch with the event. This includes members of the University faculty.

‘ Paul Ansted, a security specialist in the Office of Residence Life, attended Boys State in 1973 at Ashland College, and was also a counselor at the 1975 Boys State held at Ohio University.’

‘ Ansted still remembers his time at Boys State fondly, including meeting former Gov. John Gilligan, and hopes the boys attending this year can enjoy the experience as much as he did.

‘ ‘It’s a fantastic setup for them to get familiar with [state government],’ he said. ‘They can become the leaders in that political system, because of that understanding.”

‘ Among those attending this year will be Quinn, who will not only be speaking to the boys attending this year, but will also be hosting some of the boys at the mayor’s office during the week as well.

‘ One of the goals of the event is to help teach students about how different parts of the government work, Quinn said.

‘ The boys will learn about the functions of city administrators, city council and even the police department.’ Some of the students will also be visiting some of the city government offices during the week.’

‘ While Quinn knows the boys come from throughout the state of Ohio, he believes they should know they are in Bowling Green.’

‘ ‘When they come they’re Buckeye or Michigan fans, but when they are here they’re in Falcon country,’ he said.’ ‘