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Published on 10/06/1999 All articles from this issue

LAHS students learn about leadership at Boys State

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

Two seniors from Los Altos High School, Jack Chou and James Hwong, served as delegates to the 1999 Boys State Program in Sacramento this summer. Soren Peter Swenson of Mountain View represented St. Francis High School.

The program, sponsored by the American Legion, is a leadership program in which selected outstanding high school juniors take part in a practical government course.

"We got together with 900 other boys from California High Schools and, after an indoctrination, we went through mock programs of electing a city council, a senator, representatives and a governor," Chou said. "It gives you a better understanding of the political system first hand."

Each of the delegates was introduced to their area representative. Chou and Hwong were introduced to Ted Lempert, representative from Palo Alto.

Lew Miller, present commander of American Legion Post 558 in Los Altos, said the boys learn how to campaign and act as Attorney Generals and Judges in court cases. "They take sides, learn how to campaign and get a better understanding of the political process," he said.

Hwong said it was a different type of experience.

The delegates tried to find the best speakers and have them run for office.

"When we reached the governor's level, the speakers were unbelievably good. It was emotional," he said. "I wasn't politically savvy before, but I am now."

Two of the outstanding participants at Boys States are selected to attend the American Legion Boys National Program held in Washington, D.C., the following year.

They will represent their respective states as senators and participate in party conventions and senate sessions.

Miller said President Clinton was a Boys State representative from Arkansas and met President John F. Kennedy through the National Program.

Would the two Los Altos High School delegates run for office someday?

Hwong said he may run for office at some time, but right now he wants to get into Brown University and continue his education. Chou was undecided whether he would ever run for office.

His immediate goal is completing applications to Stanford, Princeton, Harvard and Yale; he'll think about running for office after he graduates.