I’m really at a loss of words to describe to you the last two days of Mountaineer Boys State. Just as expected, these were the two most enjoyable days of the whole camp. But it wasn’t just enjoyment that made these two days stand out. It was sadness. I didn’t want to leave.

Since the first day of camp, my parents had planned on coming to Jackson’s Mill and picking me up on Friday evening so that we could go to Myrtle Beach on Saturday morning. Since I was so positive that I was going to hate Boys State,  I was glad that I was going to get to leave early. By Wednesday, however, my attitude had changed. On Friday morning, while I was on my way to work, I called Mom and I said “Is there any way I can stay here through Saturday? Because I want to stay here for everything.” I told her that the beach would always be there, but Boys State is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I didn’t want to miss out on any of it. Simply put, I just didn’t want to leave.

If I had left Boys State on Friday evening, I would have missed the best part of the week: the talent show. There were some extremely talented guitarists, a very funny comedian, and an outstanding juggler, among many other excellent talents. During one performance, everyone pulled their cell phones out and started waving them back and forth, and the lights dimmed over the audience. It was really an amazing sight. At the end of the talent show were on of the sadder moments of the week. The choir took the stage and led Boys State in singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. It gave me much more appreciation for our rich West Virginian heritage.

Things only got sadder as citizens went back to their cottages. At Monroe cottage, we all said our last good-byes, one by one. There were a few points that nearly everyone, including myself, made. We, the members of Monroe cottage, are brothers. Family. We bonded together more and more as the week went on, and it was tough to say goodbye. Also, everyone agreed that they were glad that they were able to attend Boys State. Many also stated that this week would live on in our memories forever. It is true. There are countless memories that I’ll take with me. Sauce! Sampson! Jesse Burch! If you weren’t at Boys State, then you wouldn’t understand what any of that means. But my Boys State family does, and always will.

This camp gave me much more respect for the American flag and for our veterans who have fought to defend it. Woody Williams was, by far, the most influential speaker of the week. I’ll never forget the moment when everyone whispered the Pledge of Allegiance. Boys State gave me the opportunity to meet people that I wouldn’t have been able to meet otherwise, great people from all over the state. The week of Boys State felt like the longest week of my life. Rather I was at work, in an assembly, in a class, listening to a speaker, or playing softball, I was always doing something. It was a fun week, though. I would go back and do it a million times over again if I could. From Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, goodnight and God bless.

–Marcus Constantino

Title: Drop out Bill

Currently, high school school students are allowed to drop out of school at 16, with parental consent.

An Act to:

If a student decides to drop out and has parental consent he/she must test out with a GED exam and must pass.

Sponsor: Senator Khan Reidy

Title:Child Gun Safety Act

Abstract: Furthering children’s safety by requiring safety gun locks.

An Act to: Require all guns purchased to include a child safety lock purchased along with the gun.  Registered gun users would be required by law to purchase their own gun safety locks.

Title: Making West Virginia Greener

Abstract A resolution of the Board of Public Works to promote alternative sources of energy into West Virginia; to implement these sources of energy; and to educate citizens of the benefits of alternative energy sources; doing this while maintaining the coal industry in West Virginia

Whereas, the beauty of West Virginia could be better preserved through utilization of alternative sources,

Whereas, natural nonrenewable resources in West Virginia will eventually be depleted,

Whereas, unemployment rates are continually increasing,

Whereas, West Virginia has skilled workers of West Virginia are not utilized or given the opportunity to do their best in West Virginia,

An Act to: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AS FOLLOWS,

(1) Investing in research and education toward alternative sources of energy will increase interest in making West Virginia greener.

(2) Installing technology to utilize renewable resources will prepare West Virginia for the future when we will no longer be able to depend on coal.

(3) Having these resources will add jobs for West Virginians, while sustaining all jobs in the coal industry.

(4) Funding will be provided by individuals or corporations, who will receive tax credits, based on amounts of provisions, not surpassing a certain credit amount, which will be determined by the Legislature.

Title: Welfare Reform

Abstract A Resolution to reform welfare in West Virginia,

Whereas, the quality of the Welfare system is being depleted due much to recipients who are no longer actively seeking employment,

Whereas, a great number of Welfare recipients are content with taking advantage of said government funding and doing nothing to better their current financial situations,

An Act to: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS,

(1) Determining those who abuse the welfare program by setting a time period during which recipients must seek employment to continue receiving benefits.

(2) Beginning with a slight depreciation of government funding distributed through Welfare programs to those determined abusers which will create a strong incentive for said welfare recipients to seek employment.

(3) Reinvesting withheld funds into stimulus programs focused on providing and creating job opportunities through further Legislation.

Title: Drop Out Bill

Abstract:

Currently, high school students are allowed to drop out of school at 16, with parental consent

An Act to:

If a student decides to drop out and has parental consent, he/ she must test out with a GED exam and must pass.

Sponsored by: Senator Khan Reidy