Every year the American Legion selects 1000 outstanding high school seniors to participate in an exercise in building a government from scratch. Boys State follows the 1000 Texas youth who gathered in Austin, Texas in 2018. The group divides into political parties who hold primary elections for positions including chairman. Once the group selects a party chairman, candidates begin campaigns for office including the highest position, Governor. At first Boys States shows a group of hormonally fueled kids feeling their oats. Then, leaders emerge, including a second generation Mexican American who polls his supporters on issues important to them. As the campaign develops, parallels to our current system emerge, including wedge issues and diversionary tactics. Boys State builds to a conclusion that stayed with me long after I watched: a pay off well worth the effort.
