Boys State set to kick off at Liberty University on Sunday

By: Dave Thompson | The News & Advance
Published: June 18, 2009

In the coming week, hundreds of high school age boys will descend on Lynchburg to get a crash course on government at the local and state level.

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Liberty University again will host the Virginia Boys State program, which puts high school juniors and seniors into the role of government officials.

The boys, divided into cities, then take a hands-on approach to a series of government processes, including holding elections for the positions of mayors, senators and delegates.

After city elections, statewide elections are also held for the positions of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling are set to address the group that media coordinator Chuck Cunningham estimated to number around 800.

The state program, now in its 67th year, kicks off Saturday.

The Boys State program seeks to organize the participants into an effective governmental system, divided into two parties, featuring city and state elections.

The program officially opens Sunday night, featuring a keynote address from retired Rear Adm. William Cobb.

Schedule:
Boys State will begin Sunday and conclude June 27. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will be in Lynchburg to address the group June 25.

On Monday, participants will attend instructional sessions on the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia candidates selection process and local government in Virginia, at which Lynchburg Vice Mayor Bert Dodson will be a speaker.

Tuesday’s instructional sessions include Virginia’s judicial system, training for mayors and the office of the attorney general.

Bolling is set to speak at Wednesday’s session, about the office of lieutenant governor. The day will also feature a presentation from Virginia state troopers, including a K-9 narcotics show and highway safety presentation.

Kaine takes the stage Thursday at 11:30 a.m., to explain the role of the governor.

Boys will hear a presentation on the state’s prison system on Friday, along with two presentations from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Saturday features closing ceremonies and the presentation of awards.

Two delegates from Boys State will move on to Boys Nation, held in Washington, D.C., during July.