MARSHALL — It’s been about seven years since Zeke Pederson of Cannon Falls and Luke James of St. Paul had last seen each other.
On Sunday, the two boys found themselves in the same “city,” Duluth, for the 60th annual American Legion Boys State convention.
Pederson said he used to live in St. Paul.
“We (Luke and I) were in the Cub Scout pack,” Pederson said.
For the next week, more than 400 boys will learn about city, county and state government from listening to guest speakers, such as former governors, law enforcement and county officials, taking part in national conventions and running for offices.
And Sunday afternoon, the residents of the city of Duluth were getting to know each other while watching the Minnesota Twins play the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Welcome to Duluth,” Ryan Wold of Brooklyn Park said to people as they walked into the Antipodes residence hall lounge area.
Wold said he expects a few new experiences while at Boys State.
“I expect a challenge,” Wold said.
And Wold already had a goal pegged for Duluth.
“Our goal is to have the governor (of Boys State) to come from our city,” Wold said. “And we’re going to win all intramurals championships.”
Pederson said he will gain a better understanding of government at all levels.
Cole Hanson of Cambridge said he’s paid attention to the presidential campaign.
“I’m excited to see Obama pull out a win in the election,” Hanson said.
Hanson said he also expects to make some new friends during the week.
As he entered the lounge, A.J. Carlson of Minneapolis shook everyone’s hand, introducing himself. Carlson said he wants to get a better feel of politics and perhaps make a run for Boys State governor.
On his take of the presidential race, Carlson said Hilary Clinton had a lot of different ideas that he wasn’t aware of, John McCain is a seasoned politician, but Barack Obama doesn’t seem as experienced.
“It’s going to be a different race this year,” Carlson said.
James Fregin of Pine City and Joe Bohaty of Willow River started comparing each other’s football teams. Bohaty was a quarterback and Fregin plays wide receiver. The boys live 30 miles from each other, they said.
Fregin said he’s looking forward to meeting new people and learning.
“And doing some politicking,” Fregin said.
Heath Stevenson of East Grand Forks said he wants to get more knowledge and an understanding of politics.
Rommel Lee of Champlin said he plans on having fun and just having a good experience.
“I’m just listening right now,” Lee said.
Lee’s sister, Crystal, attended Girls State and was a national senator in 2005.
Wold said his gym teacher was a Boys Stater back in 1973 and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
“He said it was fun,” Wold said.
Lee said he’s ready to have some fun playing sports.
“I hear we have a lot of them,” Lee said.
While they watched the baseball game, a few of Duluth’s residents were trying to develop a motto for their city.
“We need to come up with a catchy slogan,” Hanson said.
“What rhymes with Duluth?” asked Pederson.
Then a few of the Duluthians went to spy on the residents of their sister city, Rochester.
“We invited them to watch the Twins game with us,” Wold said.
