A view of The American Legion California Boys State from a 2012 Boys Stater, Terry Kysunoki-Martin from Gabrielino High School . . . “Boys State was one of the most wonderful experiences in my life.  I have never felt like such an involved member of a community as I did there.  Before going to Boys State I think I attended a grand total of three city meetings.  At Boys State alone I went to over twenty city meetings and actively participated in them.  Everything that happened during the week was a great learning experience.  Through the Bar Exam (which I passed), the legal competition I entered in, and the various trials I attended, I learned more about law in a week than I have my entire life.  I was also able to better my understanding of partisan politics through the Whig-Federalist party system the counselors set up.  The biggest impact Boys State had on me was teaching me to be more active in my local community.  In city meetings, though I was not a councilman, I felt like I really had a voice, and that my voice carried weight.  Although I haven’t played tennis in over six years, I became my city’s representative in the tennis tournament. Boys State is an experience that will always stay with me.  I know that I will be a politically active citizen as I grow up, and that I will know much more about government than most people ever will because of this week at Boys State.  It is impossible for me to adequately express my gratitude to Arcadia American Legion Post 247 (and the former San Gabriel Post 442) for sending me as a delegate.  I will never forget this past week which has truly changed my life”.

Peggy McIntosh, San Gabriel