BOWLING GREEN, O. -- Buckeye Boys State is back at Bowling Green State University.

This year 1,270 rising high school seniors and home-schooled teenagers are registered as delegates in the American Legion program that enables young men to learn about democracy by forming mock local and state governments.

Delegates are scheduled to arrive at midday June 12. Political parties will soon be formed, elections held, a Boys State governor inaugurated, and government put into action. The program will conclude with graduation on June 20.

"Attending the program changes a lot of boys' lives," said Legionnaire and Buckeye Boys State spokesman Bill Strong of Sandusky. He explained that those who come without an idea of what they want to do often come away with a new sense of direction. A few years ago, he recalled, one 17-year-old was so inspired that he went home, ran for his local school board and won.

Others have been inspired to serve their country by joining the military.

One 1997 delegate, Lt. Paul Creeger of the 101st U.S. Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, Ky., and an Iraq veteran, will speak at the June 19 evening assembly at 8 p.m. in Anderson Arena. Another, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Planert, will be inducted into the Boys State Hall of Fame during the evening assembly on June 13. Planert, of Gibsonburg, was a Boys State delegate in 1972.

Assembly programs, held at Anderson Arena in Memorial Hall, are open to the public.

In addition to running the imaginary state they create, the teenage delegates will have the chance to meet and hear a number of real-life state and local officials.

This year's roster of invited guests and speakers includes Ohio Gov. Bob Taft; State Sen. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green); Ohio Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, and U.S. Congressmen Paul Gillmor of Old Fort (R-Fifth District) and Michael Oxley of Findlay (R-Fourth District), among others.

The first Buckeye Boys State was held in 1936. Since then the program has been held each year except 1945, when World War II forced a suspension of activities, and in 1952, when a flood prohibited use of the program's site. Boys State has been held annually at BGSU since 1978.

More details about the program and updates on this year's activities can be found at http://www.ohiobuckeyeboysstate.com/2004_bbs.htm

(Posted June 11, 2004 )