Members of the next generation of California-grown leaders were honored on May 10 at the American Legion’s La Mesa Post 282. The event was the Boys State orientation lunch for young men selected as delegates to the California Boys State Program, to be held at California State University, Sacramento, June 21-28. This program of the American Legion taps young men of talent and promise from throughout California for a weeklong exercise in participatory democracy. The goals and objectives are to develop civic leadership and pride, to deepen interest in and knowledge of state and local government, and to increase dedication to the bedrock traditions and beliefs undergirding American government.
Forty-five years ago, La Mesa Post 282 sponsored attorney Bill Smelko as a delegate to Boys State. He has remained with the program since then as a counselor.
“This is the ultimate learn-by-doing experience,” he said.
The delegates, randomly assigned as members of the Whig or Federalist political parties, set up a functioning government for their polity, including city, county and state levels of government and a full and complete legal system. Athletics, music, art and other talents are encouraged and provided opportunities for display. Smelko further described the program as teaching about politics, government and “a lot about life.”
Smelko said his attraction to the law came with his time at Boys State, where he passed the Boys State bar exam and became a Boys State lawyer. He took pride in winning an appeal in a case involving another Boys State delegate accused and convicted of the crimes of “rape and murder of a spider.”
The program is eligible for college credits and scholarships from Samsung to delegate-applicants who are direct descendants of wartime veterans. In 1996, Samsung donated $5 million to the American Legion in appreciation to military veterans. Also in 1996, the Boys State Foundation was set up as a nonprofit to raise money to offset program costs.
This is the 77th year that American Legion California Boys State has been called into session. This year’s group from within the legion’s countywide District 22 consists of 57 boys, selected and sponsored by 17 of the 28 legion posts. The budget this year is $33,100, and the cost per delegate is $310 in registration fees and $110 for transportation. Boys State Director Dick Shick is a San Diegan and adjutant of San Diego Post 6. He says of the cost, “This is well worth the money.”
