Angola, Indiana Thursday, June 17th, 2010
A Week to Shape a Lifetime
A Lesson in Citizenship
Despite the portent of a chance for a muggy day in Angola, Indiana, Hoosier Boys’ State 2010 started on time, and the potential for a gloomy day disappeared among the activities of a very smooth registration process. As the delegates started to arrive, the sky cleared; and the sun shone upon the verdant campus of Trine University.
A delegation of legionnaires from Post 31 performed admirably at the registration tables amidst handing out Boy’s State shirts, badges, and other materials. Additionally, a contingency of SAL members also helped with the registration process as well as collecting approximately 150 new memberships for the posts and detachments of The American Legion—all in all, not a bad turn of events for this first-time-ever membership drive. Whooo Haaaa!
On Friday, Bob Oeth and Earl Wenzler came up from the 8th District to help out with our registration event—they both stayed over to give added assistance. Earl’s experience in the program enlightened his already positive perspective. He will return next year. By now, Bob Oeth has the registration process down pat. His help has been invaluable! He, too, will be back next year—we hope more of the enrollment deans will visit our campus for a few days in future programs.
Again, Post 31 responded with a warm greeting to the HBS staff. This year, Post 31 will take a more direct participation by having its color guard perform in the memorial service.
Although most delegates are in the newer dormitory suites overlooking Trine’s Zollner Golf Course, some are experiencing the heat and humidity of Northern Indiana first hand. Still, the living conditions are far from the sterility of the cookie cutter college dormitory of previous years. These facts alone illustrate the beginnings of an excellent week in the making!
This year, the transition from the merely political to the election of candidates and governance of the 51st State carried some no small controversies. Convictions and competencies flared brightly in the conventions and state central committees as delegates vied for position and status recognition.
The Primary is over—sensitivities raised the ugly head of disappointment as coalitions regrouped for the next phase—the General Election. Now the elections are over. The 51st State has a new governor. The election of Governor Jeremy Washington pretty much negates the old axiom that lightening doesn’t strike the same place twice. You may remember that last year’s governor, Seth Brown, was also from Hammond. In fact, since 1986, there have been as many as five (5) HBS governors from up around the region! Governor Washington was sworn in by Steuben County Circuit Court Judge Allen Wheat.
Today brings a visit with the several of the HBS elected officials to meet with their real life counter-parts in the Angola/Steuben County area. The move to Trine has had and will continue to have the promise of many more blessings to come.
Yesterday, a panel of judges from the Court of Appeals of Indiana heard oral arguments on the case of Eric Danner v. State of Indiana—a criminal matter dealing with issues in the search and seizure of controlled substances. Following the presentation of the appeals case, the Honorable Presiding Judge, James S. Kirsch (Marion County), the Honorable Melissa S. May (Vanderburgh County), and the Honorable Paul D. Mathias (Allen County) engaged our Hoosier Boys’ State delegates in a Question & Answer session during which several very good issues were raised for the judges to discuss. Interestingly enough, Judge Kirsch is a former Boys’ Stater. It’s a small world, indeed.
Today also brings forth the HBS World Class talent show. We have several performers to entertain us with music and song—not to mention a little humor. Tomorrow will witness the selection of our scholarship recipients and the memorial ceremony. Among those to be remembered is Max Julian. His HBS Flag will be retired and presented to his family in attendance. Max was a strong supporter of our program and a former state commander of the American Legion in Indiana.
Tomorrow brings us to the onset of a new HBS gubernatorial regime as the old retires and the new begins its term in office—a moment to pause and reflect on the personalities that we have encountered and on the contacts that we have formed. Another “Week to Shape a Lifetime” demands recognition! The citizenry expands.
