Common mission, different approach

By Rebecca Meusch and Georgia Chambers

“I’m looking to come to school here, so this is basically a week long college visit for me,” Boys State delegate Kyle Kruse said. “I can use my experience of what I’ve learned politically to help ensure more informed conversations in the future.”

Attending Cornhusker Girls and Boys State is recognized as an honor by community members to help young men and women understand the political and governmental process. Although they are united in this way, the two groups have significant differences that come to light during joint sessions.

The boys shared the same curfew time, but their wake-up calls differed from the girls’ polite knocks on the door. Boys were awoken by the counselors and their whistles. State delegate Jared Stander said that the whistles would be better stockpiled and burned.

Spending time participating in sessions, campaigning and learning about the political process is a common part of both Girls and Boys State. However, the boys get to take on and hash over more hot button issues.

Boys State also spends more time writing up bills about these various issues and conducting their councils, Kruse said. State delegate Alexander Dack explained some of the topics debated on the party platforms. Topics ranged from the Keystone XL pipeline to Marijuana use and GMO’s.

State delegate Will Twehous said lighter issues concerning Nebraska were also discussed, but there were less serious bills passed regarding counselors reading them bedtime stories and tucking them in at night.

Girls State elections also come earlier in the week, as the 2016 Girls State Governor Taylor Schendt had the privilege of introducing Nebraska’s governor at a joint session while Boys State is still working at electing their own.

Throughout the week, the ladies could be seen dressed in their nice dress slacks or skirts and coordinating shirts while boys were sporting their town T-shirts and jeans or athletic shorts.

“We all wear shorts everyday along with our town t-shirts. Every once in awhile we need to wear pants for a session, but not very often,” Kruse said.

Alongside the more casual dress code was also the opportunity for the boys to participate in more leisurely activities. State delegate Jared Stander said they participated in various competitive sports. The boys played softball, volleyball, basketball, football and track.

“It’s 21% work and 79% play,” Dack said.

All in all, both the girls and boys share what they took away from this experience. The friendships, memories and lasting impressions will stick with the boys and girls for the rest of their lives.

“[I will take away] the knowledge I have gained from the speakers,” Twehous said, “as well as the knowledge of the culture from other regions in the state of Nebraska.”