Alameda students ran for elected positions and passed legislation in state government this summer—mock state government, that is. Alameda student delegates shared their experience at California Boys and Girls State, a summer program for high school students, at the American Legion Post 647 meeting on August 13.
California Boys and Girls State is an annual program held by the American Legion, allowing incoming high school seniors to participate in a mock state government for one week. This year’s program ran from June 21 to June 29 at California State University in Sacramento.
The Alameda cohort had ten different students from three high schools—Alameda High School, Encinal High School, and St. Joseph Notre Dame High School. Five of the students delivered presentations to Legion Post 647, which funded their week-long trip.
With around 1,000 students in total, the program was divided into five counties of 200 delegates each, with 40 people per city. Throughout the week, delegates ran for elected positions on city, county, and statewide levels, participated in campaigns and committees, and mingled with their peers.
Alameda High senior Shion Koga-Dean said the experience allowed her to form bonds with students across the state, especially the students within Alameda. She ran for county superintendent and lost, but said having her city’s support re-affirmed her confidence in herself.
“My city gave me the confidence to push myself, step out of my comfort zone, and go for a high-ranking position,” Koga-Dean said. “When I didn’t get the position I wanted, my city backed me up.”
The experience was similarly motivating for Alameda High senior Ella Edgelow, who said the week created life-long memories for her.
“I felt very bonded with my city and we had a lot of memorable experiences together, like doing the ‘Rasputin’ dance at the Jamboree,” Edgelow said.
All aspects of the simulation were as close-to-life as possible, including requirements for governmental positions. Encinal High senior Taye Ohh took the bar exam to run for attorney general, but lost the position even after passing the exam. He then took it upon himself to create a new position—spirit coordinator.
“I created chants to keep up city and county spirit, and came up with a challenge where we ‘stole’ other cities’ flags by taking a picture of each city’s flag,” Ohh said.
Delegates were given creative freedom to be as “unserious” as they liked, Encinal High senior Matan Antebi said. That ranged from creating nonsensical taxes to “suing” other cities for stealing each other’s gavel during committee meetings. But this did not erase the students’ passion and commitment to their city during the weeklong period.
Antebi wanted to occupy multiple roles, and was a county supervisor, city photographer, and honorary city planner—aligning with his future career interests.
“I’m really interested in city planning and public policy so doing that was really cool,” Antebi said. “I got to attend both city and county-wide meetings.”
St. Joseph Notre Dame High senior Mateo Guimet-Keeney also got to put into practice some of his career interests. Interested in becoming a politician, he fundraised fake money to run for the governor’s position, but came short of the filing fee.
“I decided instead to run for state treasurer on a campaign of debt relief,” Guimet-Keeney said. “As my other delegates mentioned, lawsuits were flying around, so I would go up to people and say ‘send me your case documents, and I can help reimburse some of the funds if I’m elected.’”
Ultimately, Guimet-Keeney lost his run for state treasurer by three votes, and decided to join the platform committee to help his party ultimately win the governor’s election.
Following the students’ presentations at the Legion Post 647 meeting, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft awarded the students medals and emphasized the value of their experience.
“I love what you all said about meeting new people, and sitting with different people at mealtimes. Keep doing that, when you’re at school now, but definitely when you go to college,” Ashcraft said. “I do that as mayor, I go to lots of meetings around the state and county and get to know other people. It broadens your perspective, so stay in touch with the people you have met.”
American Legion Post 647 has been sending students to California Boys and Girls State for over 20 years, Legion member Joe LoParo said. Funding from the Alameda Community Fund allowed Legion Post 647 to increase its sponsorship and send more than five students per year.
“Next year and beyond our goal is to send even more with the help of our community during our fundraising events,” LoParo said in a statement to the Alameda Post. “These programs allow students to gain hands-on experience in civic leadership, government, and teamwork. They come home with more confidence, a better understanding of democracy, and skills that prepare them to be future leaders in our community and beyond.”
Students interested in participating in the California Boys and Girls State program can contact their high school counselor to discuss the nomination process.
Sindhu Ananthavel is a contributing writer to the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Sindhu-Ananthavel.
