"Thank You" hardly seems adequate to
express the gratitude and pride I felt as I watched my son (Aaron
Abernathy) be sworn in as the Governor of the 63rd Session of
the American Legion Boys State. Receiving the call from Aaron
inviting me to attend the inauguration was so exciting! I spent
the next few hours at home calling family and friends to share
the excitement and joy. The hospitality and kindness shown by
the staff that evening was tremendous!
Parents Day was an incredible eye-opening experience for me. I
had no idea of the kind of week my son experienced. Thank you
for organizing such a tremendous showcase of talent and hope for
the future of our state and nation. The dedication of the staff
and volunteers is priceless. They made that week one my son will
never forget.
- Donna Abernathy
parent of Arron J. Abernathy, Columbia, MO
(Citizen - 2002
"I attended the 2002 session of Boys' State
and was elected to the Supreme Court. In all my life(though only
17 years), I have never experienced a program or anything such
as this. I learned to become more independent, more confident,
and more able in the governmental process. Words cannot express
the sense of joy and accomplishment that i felt as I drove away
from the final assembly. All I can say is "Thank you." Thanks
to all of the staff for making us feel welcome. Thanks to the
counselors who guided us at times of confusion and struggle. Thanks
to the sponsors, who gave me a chance, a chance to "Shape a lifetime."
- John Cardarella, Independence, MO
(Citizen - 2002)
"I am very proud of being a former MBS citizen
and if you have the chance to go I suggest that you take it because
it was the best week I have ever had with a thousand other guys!"
- Joe Golightly, Jackson, MO
(Citizen - 2002)
"I have to thank you very dearly for accepting
me as a Boys State Citizen representing Carver City. I'd never
thought I'd make a difference within myself, but I have. I've
realized that changes can be made, whether the difference is big
or small. I'm glad I was given this opportunity to shape my week
of a lifetime. I thank you :)"
- John Ritz, Licking, MO
(Citizen - 2002)
Dear Mr. Stewart:
My name is Brandon Eldridge. I attended the 63rd session of Missouri
Boy’s State as a citizen of Doniphan City and Bradley County.
I’m writing you today for two reasons that I hold very dear
to my heart right now. The first issue I want to address is this
year’s session in general. Thank you for having me. Thank
you for anything and everything that happened during the week
of June 15-22, 2002. Thank you for holding a program to help the
future of America’s tomorrow realize their role early and
help them go out and achieve their goals. I will never forget
how good a time I had, how much I learned, and the extent of which
it changed me for the better. The lessons I learned from Boy’s
State will continue to aid me in the rest of my schooling, my
future career, and will help me throughout the rest of my life,
and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The second thing I would like to address is not
really a statement; it’s more of a request. I would like
to give back. Boy’s State brought me in as a boy and sent
me out as a man. I’d love nothing more than to be able to
give back to the program which changed my life so deeply. I want
to come back to Boy’s State for the 64th session, not as
a citizen, but as an assistant city counselor. I feel that with
the experience that I have I could be a major asset to any city
and could help as many make their Boy’s State truly one to
remember and learn from. Please allow me to volunteer next year.
I want to help as many people as possible turn this program into
“A week to shape a lifetime.”
Sincerely,
Brandon Glen Eldridge, Sikeston, MO
(Citizen - 2002)
"Throughout the entire week, the counselors
could not stop saying that this will be "A Week to Shape
a Lifetime." I don't think that that hit the citizens of
the 2002 session as hard as it did when they were walking out
of the final assembly. The program has allowed us to make friends
for life, learn life's lessons, and above all, learn the government
that is part of our lives. I just want to say thank you, Missouri
Boys State, for allowing it to truly be "A Week to Shape
a Lifetime""
- Chris Rodriguez, Independence, MO
(Citizen - 2002)
"Hi. I'm not sure if I'm contacting the
right people or not, but I'll go ahead anyway. My name is Kevin
Barb and I was a member of Whitfield City during the 2002 session
of Boys State. My counselor selected me as a possible future counselor
and said that I'd probably not hear anything for around 5 months.
I would really like to come back. I want to get a chance to influence
the LIVES of other kids the way that the program and my counselors
influenced me. I am a different person now before I arrived, and
I owe a lot of that to my counselors: Jerod Breit, J.R. Siracusa,
and Adam Phelps… I want to be one of those guys. I want wonderful
opportunity to help young men make changes that will affect them
forever. Please let me know anything that you can about being
selected as a future ACC [Assistant City Counselor]. Thank you
for your part in making the program such a success! Have a nice
day."
- Kevin Barb, Warsaw, MO
(Citizen - 2002)
"Boys State will definitely affect my life
for the better. By attending this great program, I have met many
great people, heard many great speakers, and campaigned for my
own offices. All of these things will help me to succeed later
in life."
- Peter Kelsey, Sibley, MO
(Citizen - 1999)
"I think the people of Boys State affected
my life more than anything. I have met people from all over and
now they are my friends."
- Randy Pientka, Kansas City, MO
(Citizen - 1999)
"This is definitely a fine leadership and
social experience. It will help me in obtaining scholarships,
jobs, and an overall different view in my life forever. I have
learned to be open and strive for what I want…and not to
be scared to run for an office or express my views."
- Carl Cunningham, Stockton, MO
(Citizen - 1999)
"I think that my Boys State experience has
been the stepping stone to a positive future. There are no limits
here. You can be all that you want. Never forget that and you
will reach the stars."
- Demond Logan, Kansas City, MO
(MBS Governor - 1999)
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