Monsignor Pace High School students Matthew Arrojas, Lucas Garcia, and Daniel Gonzalez went up to Tallahassee over the summer to learn about state government through the Boys State program.
Boys State, a leadership program sponsored by the American Legion, allows high school juniors to take part in mock government sessions and learn more about Florida’s history, government, and law.
On the trip, the boys got to sit in the chambers of the Florida House of Representatives and act as members of a mock government for a 51st State. They each won positions in government and were able to create, debate, and vote on bills. All three also took trips to the state capital and Florida State University.
Gonzalez says that he learned a lot about not only state government, but also about other students his age from around Florida.
“All the different people that I met from the trip showed me that a person my age can make a difference,” said Gonzalez. “Hearing about all the different things [the other students] do in their communities made me want to get more involved in my school and community.”
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