MARSHALL — For the last two days, Canby High School student Travis Nordgaard has tried to keep the peace in the Boys State Senate.
As president of the Senate, Nordgaard said his duties include maintaining order through parliamentary procedure and keeping everyone civil while the Senate passes its bills.
“It sometimes can be daunting,” Nordgaard said.
Gaining leadership skills, several new friends and just having a good time are a few of the things local boys said they’ve taken away from this year’s Boys State convention at Southwest Minnesota State University.
About 400 high school boys from around the state attended this year’s annual convention at SMSU.
Going into Boys State, Nordgaard said he knew he would have a good time.
“I expected it to be great, but I never expected it to be this great,” Nordgaard said.
Charles Hulsizer of Marshall High School said he originally thought Boys State would be boring.
But as the week went on and got more involved, Hulsizer changed his mind.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” Hulsizer said. “I had a good time.”
Boys State has also been an educational experience, Nordgaard said.
Murray County Central High School student Jase Bly said Brian Bau, last year’s Boys Stater from MCC, gave an overview of what to expect at the event.
“It didn’t really appeal to me the way he explained it to me,” Bly said.
Bly said he also said Boys State wasn’t what he expected. He thought it would be a little more “nerdy” and some of the attendees would be more quiet.
But the boys at Boys State are outgoing, into athletics and into some of the same activities he likes, Bly said.
“Everyone here is really involved,” Bly said.
Bly said he’s happy he decided to attend after all.
“Getting here I’m very glad I chose to apply for it,” Bly said.
On Friday, the Boys State House of Representatives passed a bill that Bly and Hulsizer had co-authored.
Marshall High School student Trey Welch said the week’s been fun for him.
“It helped me learn more about the political process,” Welch said.
Nordgaard said Boys State gave him a reinforcement of his patriotic values.
“And respect for my country and those who serve,” Nordgaard said.
Bly said he learned how being a leader will advance him in life. Besides being in the House, he also served as a state delegate for the Nationalist Party.
“I’ve been pretty involved in the whole voting process,” Bly said.
Welch said there have been several great moments during the week.
“The best part was probably the mock trials we had,” Welch said.
Another great moment, Welch said, was when fellow Federalist party member Kent Peterson made his speech for the attorney general nomination.
Then there was when his city’s general was put on trial, Welch said.
And now the Boys State experience is almost over, Bly said.
“It’s pretty fun, I can’t believe how fast it’s gone,” Bly said.
With 400 boys from all around the state, from metro areas to rural towns, there’s the chance to make many new friends.
“You meet a lot of new friends, of course,” Hulsizer said.
And then they’re added to your Facebook friends list, Hulsizer said.
“I’ve met a lot of cool guys here,” Welch said.
Nordgaard said he’s had the chance to meet hundreds of new friends at Boys State.
“I’ve met a lot of good people here and I’m pretty sure I’ll stay friends with them for a long time to come,” Bly said.
Next year, Bly plans to do what Brian Bau did, encouraging boys to come to the Boys State convention.
“I’m hoping more kids apply,” Bly said.
