Matthew Degner
A local student will soon visit Washington D.C. to participate in hands-on learning about the federal government and legislation.
Matthew Degner, an incoming senior at Columbus East High School, has been selected as a senator for American Legion Boys Nation. The conference will be held in the Washington D.C. area from Friday through July 29.
Boys Nation is an annual program that includes “civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism,” according to the American Legion. During the event, 100 “senators” will take part in hands-on learning about how the U. S. Senate and federal government work.
The young men are divided into two political parties: Federalists and Nationalists. Each party then conducts a party convention, sets a platform and nominates members for elected offices. These include Boys Nation president, vice president and party leaders.
Each participant will write, introduce and debate a bill of his choosing before a Boys Nation Senate committee and, if successful, bring it to a vote by the whole Senate. If a bill passes, the president then decides whether to sign or veto the legislation.
In addition to learning about government, Boys Nation participants will have the opportunity to visit landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Korean War Memorial. They will also present a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, meet with their state’s U.S. senators and may get the chance to visit the White House.
Notable alumni of Boys’ Nation include former President Bill Clinton, former Gov. Chris Christie and former Gov. Scott Walker.
According to American Legion, the 2022 Boys Nation senators represent “the finest of nearly 17,000 incoming seniors who attended Boys State programs.”
Degner was elected Lieutenant Governor, County Vice Chair and Precinct Chair at Indiana Boys State. He also received the Barney Breedlove Outstanding Citizen Award and Col. Kossa scholarship.
American Legion Post 24 in Columbus sponsored Degner’s week at Indiana Boys State, which had 175 participants.
Per American Legion’s website, “only those who illustrate leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service in their schools and community” should be considered for Boys State programs.
American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program called Girls State.
