Groton American Legion sends J.T. Holl to Boys State

American Legion Boys State (ALBS) is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. students who are completing their junior year in high school. Founded in 1935 by two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, ALBS is a week-long program that immerses these youths in citizenship and leadership training.

The Groton American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800 (GAL) has a long history of sponsoring Groton High School (GHS) juniors to attend ALBS. This year, the GAL Boys State Committee, comprising Vice-Commanders Paul Koekebacker and Fred Youngs and chairman of the GAL Board of Directors, Bob Yachinich, welcomed three young men and their parents to an informational meeting in early April. One student ended up applying, and the GAL was pleased to sponsor Judson Thomas (J.T.) Holl to participate in New York state’s annual program, which took place June 28 through July 3 at Morrisville State College.

J.T., his parents Mike and Gina, and his sister, Stella (a rising sophomore at GHS), make their home in Groton. Mike, who is a business teacher at GHS and a 1992 alumnus himself, was delighted that J.T. was selected because he had also attended ALBS when he was in high school.

“Honestly, I went because it was something to do with my buddies and get away, but I did feel fortunate to be chosen,” Mike said. “I am most proud of J.T. for going, even though he went alone. I might not have done that at his age.”

At GHS, J.T. plays soccer and basketball, is enrolled in the Early College High School program and is a member of the Interact Club and the National Honor Society (NHS). It was the NHS advisor, Scott Montreuil, who handed out the ALBS applications, and J.T. is very grateful that he did.

“I didn’t know what it was at first,” J.T. said, “but my dad explained it to me. I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and would be great for my future to put on a resume. It was hard to go with no one else, but my goal was to meet new people.”

ALBS was developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective on our government and to develop civic leadership and pride in American citizenship. The training is objective, and participants learn the practical aspects of government as it centers on the structure of city, county and state governments.

Operated by students elected to various offices, activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs. Attendees also participate in physical fitness training, teamwork and other activities, under the guidance of American Legion counselors and U.S. Marines.

“It was a little surprising when our family drove J.T. up to Morrisville and when I asked where to park, they said, ‘You don’t. You say goodbye and he gets in line,’” Mike said. “So, off he went into a line of 200-ish boys, and we left.”

A typical day, as told by J.T., was to wake up at 5:30 a.m., take 30 minutes to get ready, and report to PT (physical training), which was led by a U.S. Marine sergeant, after which they would march to breakfast. The PT consisted of running, push-ups and burpees, and grew more intense as the days went on. At 11 a.m. they marched to lunch, where J.T. said they often had mashed potatoes — something he has disliked since early childhood but quickly learned to eat, anyway!

“We marched everywhere. When we first registered, we were given a pin, a water bottle and an information booklet, and we had to carry them with us everywhere,” J.T. explained. “During the rest of the day, we had meetings, cleaned our rooms, had inspections on how clean our rooms were — including no dust and tight sheets — had a two-and-a-half-hour assembly where we heard guest speakers and sang the Boys State song. We also had debates, elections and athletics. At 10:15 every night it was lights out!”

J.T. further explained how the Boys State government was formed, which was an exact replica of our New York state government, but with different names for political parties, cities, and so on. To select candidates and elect officials for city, county and state positions, caucuses are held by the participants. Once all elections are completed, the boys continue on to “run the government” in the same manner as it is done in reality.

“My county was Roosevelt in the city of Yermas,” J.T. said, “and we [Roosevelt] beat the Marines in our basketball tournament and passed more legislation than any other group! We passed 16 bills, which broke a record! I was also elected as the commissioner of health.”

Parents and families were invited to the closing ceremony, which included 600 boys who had gone through the program. Mike said he was impressed at the boys’ level of patriotism.

Koekebacker, who was present during J.T.’s interview, said he is “glad J.T. went. Hearing it first hand, I think he did a very good job. Character is worth more than a pedigree.”

J.T. works part-time at the Benn Conger Inn and has an internship in the GHS IT department. He hopes to attend SUNY Brockport when he graduates to become a registered nurse, with a second choice of entering the military for nursing. His end goal is to become a nurse practitioner.

“I really gained a sense of independence at Boys State,” J.T. said. “Adults were there, but you had to take care of yourself, and you were responsible to carry out important jobs. It was refreshing to see people taking it seriously and being mature there.”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Storycrafters at the library

Head to the Groton Public Library for the interactive stories of Barry Marshall and Jeri Burns, Ph.D., at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. You will be listening to, and participating in, their performance “Catch the World by the Tale” — a folktale-filled trip around the earth, with stops in many places, celebrating world cultures. For more information call 607-898-5055 or email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org.

Chicken barbecue, anyone?

Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., will hold a “catered by Hatfield’s” chicken barbecue to benefit its Men’s Ministries program beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 4. Cost is $10 for a half or $12 for a meal. Presale tickets are available by stopping by the church during the week, but are not required.

Beginner soft-shoe tap dance lessons 

Groton Recreation offers an opportunity for adults to learn rhythmic tap skills and soft-shoe dance combinations while having fun and increasing balance and coordination. You don’t need any previous dance experience. Hard-soled shoes are needed for dancing. Taps are not needed, but no sneakers, please.

Lessons will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. every Monday from Aug. 5 through Sept. 16 at the Groton Community Room in the new village offices, 308 Main St. The fee is $35.