Hundreds of upcoming high school senior boys could be found throughout the state capitol on Wednesday, as they were getting the feel of actually one day working there.
These young men were a part of the 2009 American Legion Boys State held annually at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. At Boys State, delegates learn how state and local government and elections work by campaigning for one of the many offices on the state, county, or municipal level and then actually doing the work that their real-world counterpart would do.
They work on bills in their legislature and they work on economic development projects in their city, all the while competing against other delegates and cities.
One of the delegates, Rob Pyron of Crystal Springs, was elected governor of “the great state of Magnolia.”
“This has been a wonderful experience, I have met a lot of new guys and learned a lot about politics and how the government works,” said Pyron.
Pyron said that he had the opportunity to exercise some of his governor duties while in a session.
“I had my first bill to come to me last night and I had the position to veto the bill,” said Pyron. “And the bills we veto, we send back to the senate and I make the executive decision.
Boys State started May 23 and will conclude on May 29.
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