Choctaw HS student visits Washington D.C.
Lewis serves as senator for American Legion Boys Nation
By Ryan Horton
Choctaw Times
Dalton Lewis, an incoming senior at Choctaw High School, has been selected as a senator for American Legion Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C. area, July 22-29.
Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism. Lewis served as Senate Pro Tempore at Oklahoma Boys State. American Legion Post 88 in Norman sponsored Lewis’ week at Oklahoma Boys State, which had 260 participants.
During their eight days at American Legion Boys Nation, 100 “senators” will learn from a hands-on approach how the U.S. Senate and the federal government function.
Lewis is among one of the 100 selected as the finest of nearly 17,000 incoming seniors who attended Boys State programs this year.
Young men are divided into two political parties, the Federalists and the Nationalists, each of which conducts a party convention, sets a platform and nominates members for elected offices, including Boys Nation president, vice president and party leaders. Each senator will also write, introduce and debate a bill of his choosing before an appropriate Senate committee, and if successful at that level the legislation will be voted on by the whole Senate. Bills passing the Senate are later signed or vetoed by the Boys Nation president.
The young men also have an opportunity to tour the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Korean War Memorial. They will also present a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, see the Iwo Jima Memorial and meet with their state’s U.S. senators. They may have the opportunity to visit the White House as well. In addition, delegates will attend a dinner at a nearby American Legion post hosted by National Commander Paul E. Dillard of Texas.
At Choctaw High School, Lewis’ activities include competitive drama speech and debate, National Honor Society and Students Actively Supporting Theater Arts. He is a two-time one-act state champion and two-time state and regional qualifier in individual speech and debate. A resident of Midwest City, Lewis hopes to attend Oklahoma City University.
Notable Boys Nation alumni include former President Bill Clinton, actor Donal Logue, Govs. Chris Christie and Scott Walker, Senators Mike Lee and Tom Cotton, Tom Brokaw, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Neil Armstrong, Roger Ebert and Justice Samuel Alito.
Choctaw’s Dalton Lewis heads to Washington D.C. as one of 100 high school seniors representing American Legion Nation. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
For more about American Legion and BOYS STATE visit their website.
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