Gregory headed to Boys Nation

Thursday, July 1, 2010
Fort Scott High School student Keenan Gregory addresses the Fort Scott Rotary Club Wednesday to talk about his experience at the American Legion Boy's State of Kansas earlier this month. (Submitted photo)

A local Fort Scott High School student will represent Kansas at The American Legion Boys Nation at the end of July.

Keenan Gregory was selected among more than 500 attendees as one of the two representatives from Kansas to attend the national event July 23-31 in Arlington, Va.

"I had heard it was a lot of fun, I've always been interested in how our government works," Gregory said. "I thought it would be a great opportunity to see the federal side of our government too."

Seven students were selected from Fort Scott High School to attend the American Legion Boy's State of Kansas event earlier this month. The students who attended the week-long government camp included: (top row) Keenan Gregory; (middle row from left to right) Matthew Carrillo, Anthony Jackson; (bottom row left to right) Daniel Lyon, Austin Bailey, Jeffery Durbin, and Aaron Houser. (Submitted photo)

To be selected for The American Legion Boys Nation, Gregory first had to be nominated by the mock city he was a part of at The American Legion Boys State of Kansas. Two candidates from each city moved on to a vote by the mock county. Each of the 10 counties then nominated one candidate to address the entire assembly who then voted for two representatives.

To advance through each level, Gregory had to give a speech about why he would be the right choice, a task that did not come easy.

"I'm not big on public speaking so it was a nice challenge for me," he said. "I tried not to focus on writing a speech so much as saying what was on my mind ... I just figured I'd be honest."

His approach worked as Gregory was selected and will now follow in the footsteps of his brother Thomas who attended The American Legion Boys Nation in 2007.

Gregory said that he was grateful for the opportunity to represent Fort Scott at The American Legion Boys State of Kansas. Having been interested in government, he said he met a lot of new people and learned just what public officials and elected officials do on a daily basis.

"It is a lot harder than I had originally thought it would be," he said.

Those who attend The American Legion Boys Nation make up a mock version of the U.S. Senate and deal with the same issues as the current U.S. Senate and learn about the process of creating legislation and regulations.

"I'm hoping to experience the senate on a national level and meet outstanding students from all over the country," Gregory said.

Advancing to The American Legion Boys Nation seems to be natural for Gregory who said he enjoys politics and has considered working in government.

"I've always considered some sort of government role ... I really like impacting our government process," he said.

Gregory was one of seven FSHS juniors who attended the 73rd session of The American Legion Boys State of Kansas earlier this month. American Legion representative Ken Lyon said this was the first time he can remember sending so many to the week-long government camp held on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan. Those who attended were Austin Bailey, Matthew Carrillo, Jeffery Durbin, Gregory, Aaron Houser, Anthony Jackson, and Daniel Lyon.