John Wiest, an incoming senior at Middletown High School, has been selected as a senator for American Legion Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C. area, July 22-29.
Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism. Wiest was elected Governor and Party Chair during his week at Rhode Island Boys State.
At Middletown High School, Wiest is president of student government, president and founder of the school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, and captain of the varsity football and varsity tennis teams. He is the recipient of the Young Leader Award from Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and the Civic Leadership Award from Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. A resident of Middletown, Wiest is interested in studying economics and political science.
To arrange an interview with Wiest, contact Andy Proffet at wproffet@legion.org.
About Boys Nation:
During their eight days at American Legion Boys Nation, 100 “senators” will learn from a hands-on approach how the U.S. Senate and the federal government function. Young men are divided into two political parties, the Federalists and the Nationalists, each of which conducts a party convention, sets a platform and nominates members for elected offices, including Boys Nation president, vice president and party leaders. Each senator will also write, introduce and debate a bill of his choosing before an appropriate Senate committee, and if successful at that level the legislation will be voted on by the whole Senate. Bills passing the Senate are later signed or vetoed by the Boys Nation president.
The young men will also have an opportunity to tour the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Korean War Memorial. They will also present a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, see the Iwo Jima Memorial and meet with their state’s U.S. senators. They may have the opportunity to visit the White House as well. In addition, delegates will attend a dinner at a nearby American Legion post hosted by National Commander Paul E. Dillard of Texas.
This year’s crop of Boys Nation senators represents the finest of nearly 17,000 incoming seniors who attended Boys State programs. Famous Boys Nation alumni include former President Bill Clinton, actor Donal Logue, Govs. Chris Christie and Scott Walker, and Sens. Mike Lee and Tom Cotton. Notable Boys State alumni include Tom Brokaw, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Neil Armstrong, Roger Ebert and Justice Samuel Alito.
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