MARSHALL — On Sunday night, Mark Bau of Murray County Central High School gave his brother, Brian, a call.
“I talked to him last night,” Mark Bau said Monday morning.
Brian Bau attended Boys State last year and said he had a good experience.
He gave his little brother a little advice.
“He said the best thing was get to know people and get your name out there,” Mark Bau said.
And one way Mark Bau is getting his name out there is running for mayor of the city of Duluth. He’s one of five candidates.
On Monday, residents of Boys State filed for government positions in their respective cities at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. Some cities even had 11 to 13 people file for their city councils.
Area students, including Bau, found out there’s more to Boys State than they realized.
“It definitely wasn’t what I expected,” Bau said.
Bau figured the week would mainly be about politics.
“But it’s been a blast meeting all the kids and the Legionnaires,” Bau said.
Trey Welch of Marshall High School is residing in the city of St. Cloud for the week.
“It’s interesting learning about politics and stuff,” Welch said.
In their cities, Boys Staters discussed various state issues. Welch said his city talked mainly about the 35W bridge collapse from last August.
“That’s like the main one we were talking about,” Welch said. “That, and the impact.”
Bau said his city’s residents talked about concealed weapons and the government taking people’s property.
The city of Winona is “home” to three area students: Mike Peters of Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High School, Joseph Cheadle of Minneota High School and Karl Hegna of Yellow Medicine East High School.
Cheadle is part of the Boys State band, playing the French horn.
“It’s kind of a small band,” Cheadle said.
On Friday night, the Boys State band and choir will perform at a special program. Cheadle said the band is learning patriotic songs and a medley of the armed forces songs.
“Sight reading the first day went pretty well,” Cheadle said.
On Monday, Cheadle said he learned more about city organization and different forms of city government.
“We spent some time talking about welfare and whether that should be restricted to those seeking jobs or physically impaired,” Cheadle said.
Hegna and Peters were vying for city jobs. Peters was running for city clerk and Hegna was looking to be Winona’s city treasurer.
In his bid for city clerk, Peters said in his campaign speech that he is vice-president of his 4-H club, is No.1 in his class and is on the National Honor Society.
Hegna said he’s meeting new people at Boys State, and is “learning to speak your mind and tell your opinions.”
Hegna said the residents of Winona also talked about transportation and the Twins’ new stadium.
“How to pay for it and benefits,” Hegna said.
Shane Schiavo of Marshall High School is also “living” in Duluth for the week. He said he’s learning about how to be a good person and functioning in society.
Schiavo was also named temporary police chief of Duluth.
“And hopefully appointed (permanent) police chief after tonight,” Schiavo said.
As part of his job, Schiavo said he has to make sure his residents are in bed by 11 p.m.
“And wake them up promptly at 6:44 (a.m.),” Schiavo said. “It’s easier to remember.”
In Hibbing, Chris Sanders of Marshall High School, said they’ve talked about the political process, how to file and get your name on the ballot.
Sanders said the boys of Hibbing are also discussing current events. There are 30 residents in Hibbing, and each had an issue that influenced them personally, Sanders said.
“The biggest ones were educational funding and alternative energy sources,” Sanders said.
