NEWS

Day 1: Sunday, June 24th, 2007

• As temperatures began to rise, so did the anticipation felt by many Boys' Staters. Once they arrived at the Morrisville Campus, they were quickly instructed to register, receive their materials and report to their dorms.  Shortly there after they were introduced to their marine who would be instructing them for the upcoming week.  Boys' Staters quickly found out the meaning discipline and respect with new found terms such as "Yes Sir" and "No Sir".  Soon after Boys' staters were instructed on how to make a bed (rack) the "marine" way.  The marines quickly took charge as they taught drill instruction such as left face, right face and mark time.

• Citizens of Boys' State continued to follow instruction as they learned the meaning of the sounding of the gavel at the opening assembly.  The Boys' State gavel was sounded three times to signal standing and once to signal sitting.  In the beginning of the assembly, two citizens of Boys’ State carried the American Flag and the Boys’ State Flag, which occurs at the beginning of every assembly.  At the assembly, the president of Morrisville College, Dr. Raymond Cross, greeted the boys by telling them what an honor it was to be admitted into Boys’ State. 

• Counties and cities began to form as new bonds were created.  After that evening’s assembly, the individual cities held their City Caucus.  During this caucus, cities chose their mayors, treasurer, the common council, and other city government jobs.

• After a rather long and chaotic day, Boys’ Staters finally laid down on their newly tucked beds with a TAPS 10:00, lights out.

Day 2: Monday, June 25th, 2007

• Day two began with a pleasant 5:30 am wake up followed by a mad scramble for showers and room cleanup.  At promptly 6:00 am, marines took the Boys’ Staters to perform physical training, also known as PT.  After pushups, leg raises, running and other strenuous acts, the Boys’ Staters marched in unison to their first breakfast at Boy’s State. 
• After a breakfast of eggs and hash browns, the boys were treated to an assembly that consisted of the daily news, and updates at Boys’ State.  As well as presentations from the district attorney from Oneida County, Scott McNamara, and the president of Ashforth Consulting Agency, Mr. Fred Ashforth.  Mr. McNamara gave a vivid speech about the dedication and work ethic necessary to achieve the goals each and every one of us strive to accomplish.  He used stories from his experiences to educate the Boys’ Staters on the jurisdiction of a District Attorney.  Mr. Ashforth gave a very lively and enthusiastic speech that taught Boys’ Staters on how to speak properly and effectively to an audience.  His speech consisted of various demonstrations and tactics on how to successfully deliver a powerful speech. (To Read more about the Assembly Click Here)
• At 12:30 that same day, the remaining city elections and county caucus were held.  There citizens were divided into their respective party and chose candidates for the county level.  Later on that day, at 7:00 PM to be precise, citizens entered their respective State Party Conventions center to begin to elect candidates of the state level.
• Sports also began today with the basketball teams from (insert winners here) advancing.  Also in sports, the following softball teams advanced as well: (insert winners here).  In the volleyball tournament, (winners) advanced on to the next round.
• After all the excitement, sports, and conventions, citizens of Boys’ State headed back to their respective dorms and went to bed at 10:30, anxiously awaiting PT tomorrow morning.

Day 3: Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

• This morning things were a little different.  Students did their PT as usually but before being able to go to “chow”, they had their pictures taken.  After the PT, pictures, and breakfast, students went on with drill instruction till they were able to go to the assembly that morning at 8:30. 
• At the assembly, Boys’ Staters were treated to two great speakers, New York Senator, Joe Griffo and, Ron Tocci, Deputy Commissioner Veterans Affairs.  Senator Griffo started the assembly by joining the crowd and urged them to cheer for their respective area in New York.  After some joking about how the Boys’ Staters should join the Girls’ Staters in SUNY Brockport, Griffo became serious.  Griffo told the audience of his experiences as the mayor of Rome and what exactly a senator does.  While receiving his gifts, the senator brought out his assistant, Liz, whom the boys clapped, whistled and cheered for.  (To read about Tuesday's assembly Click Here)

• The day continued on with two state party conventions for the Federalist and Nationalist parties.  At these conventions, nominees for their respective party were chosen for the position of: Court of Justices, Comptroller, Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor. 

• After the final nominee was selected, the boys headed back to their respective dorms to sleep after a long day of running, assemblies, and conventions.

   

• Day four started out as the others, 5:30am wake up, 6:00am physical training, and breakfast.  At 8:30, the daily assembly was on track.  With each county yelling out their newly learned phrases, they rushed into Hamilton Hall awaiting the speaker of the day.  Today’s speaker was Utica Mayor, Tim Julian.  Mr. Julian spoke of his job and how he was first the common council president and after the mayor resigned, he became mayor.  He spoke of always staying true to yourself and to not let “anybody stop you from your course of action.”

• After the assembly on Wednesday, county elections were held.  The day proceeded along with lunch and the Bar exams for lawyers afterwards.

• The real excitement of the week came on this night with the Assembly Political Rally.  The assembly started off with each party declaring their platforms for this year.  Cheers went off left and right once the parties declared things such as a lower drinking age, mini-skirt Fridays, supermodel cafeteria ladies, and the placement of Girls’ State in an adjacent campus.  Next to speak were the Justices. Followed by that were the Attorney General candidates.  Following the Attorney General, came the Lieutenant Governor Speeches that left the crowd chanting the name Dzubak.  Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, the governor’s speeches.  First up was Nationalist’s candidate, You.  You spoke of his days back in his native land of China and how he was so happy to have moved to the U.S. and be given freedom.  Following You, was the Federalist’s candidate, Ronald Harvey Jr.  Harvey delivered a speech that showed people that they must respect one another and how he plans to promote this throughout his term as governor.

• After this excitement, it was hard for the Boys’ Staters to fall asleep and wake up for PT tomorrow morning. 

• Day 5 started at 5:30 Am, just as it always does, and was followed by 6:00 AM PT. Unlike the other days, the Boys’ State citizens filled into the STUAC building at 6:30 to vote on their picks for the State offices, followed by the routine breakfast. After voting and breakfast, the citizens went on to drill instruction and marched to the assembly.
• The assembly speakers for today were New York State Senator, David Valesky, and the federal Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Mario Mancuso. Mr. Valesky spoke about why it is important to participate in politics. Mr. Mancuso on the other hand spoke of the war in Iraq and emphasized the strategy, nature and enemy of the war.
• Soon lunch came and left. After lunch, The Assemblymen and Senate assembled while the all judges, elected and appointed, and lawyers were given a seminar by a Judge.
• Soon dinner came and after that came parade rehearsal. After preparing for the parade on Friday, the State Police came in for a special outside demonstration of what they do. To read about and see pictures from the New York State Troopers and Emergency Response Team Visit, Click Here

• Parade
• Family Dinner
• Final Assembly