Saturday was filled enthusiasm as Premier Boys State came to Eastern to start their week teaching boys from all over Illinois the highs and lows of politics.

Benjamin Billups, 17, is a junior soon-to-be senior at Joliet West High School. As he waits in line for food he said he came to boy’s state not only because of a friend’s recommendation, but also because of his plans for the future.

“I heard about [boy’s state] from friends and my counselor,” said Billups. “But I also came because I am interested in politics and government. I hope to have a career in a branch of politics.”

Premier Boy’s State has been apart of Illinois for 71 years. Put on by the American Legion, the week-long camp teaches boys in between their junior and senior year of high school what it means to be involved in politics, said Dick Snodgrass, camp director and treasurer of boy’s state.

“The camp teaches citizenship among other things,” said Snodgrass. “It teaches the boys sportsmanship, the electoral process and the political process.”

During the week, the camp is divided into eight counties with four cities in each county. Each city and county has positions open for the boys, known as citizens at camp, to run for. They campaign for a position of their choice and elections are held. Such positions include mayor, alderman, city council and police chief.

Not everyone though gets to hold an office. Some, according to Snodgrass, help others with their campaigns. It leads up to Thursday’s election for state positions, which include governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and Supreme Court justice among others.

“The boys run their cities and counties the same as a real official would run Charleston,” said Snodgrass.

Billups said he hopes to be involved in city government “either as a councilman or mayor.”

During the week, the boys attend government classes and seminars spread out across campus. Also, some boys during the week get together and put out a newsletter, The Premier Boys State-Ment, and almost all the boys play sports at some point during the day.

Snodgrass also addresses that most of the 600 boys who attended boy’s state are generally in the top of their class.

“We are very fortunate for the most part,” said Snodgrass. “Most of the boys are in the achievers in their class. Most of them are in the top 10-20 percent of the class academically. Plus there are two things that put you over the top for resumes and one of them is being a citizen at boy’s state.”

Lucas Miller, 17-year-old from Paris High School, plans on going to University of Chicago. He says that one of the reasons he came to boy’s state is his college application.

“[Boy’s state] looks really good on a college application,” said Miller. “Plus I’m interested in politics as a career. One day maybe I’ll be in Congress.”

Miller says that he plans on running for a city position while attending boy’s state.

“There are only a few posts that certain people hold,” said Miller. “Later we are having meetings so we can look deeper into positions, but to me I’m just focused on the scholarships.”

Bradley Galvez, another 17-year-old from Paris High School, sits by his friend Miller in the dining hall. Galvez has no experience in politics. He came to boy’s state in order to try something new.

“It seemed like an interesting experience where I get to meet new people and have fun,” said Galvez. “It’s just something different I don’t know much about.”

Galvez said by attending boy’s state he hopes to see how everything works out so he can make good decisions about his future.

Richard Stewart, 17, is a soon-to-be senior at Beverly East High School, about 40 minutes away from St. Louis. He sits all alone at the dining table quietly eating his food. He comes to boy’s state being the only one from his high school.

“It’s difficult for the first couple of days but once you get to know people it becomes okay,” said Stewart.

Stewart also has no experience in politics and said that by attending boy’s state he is learning a lot more in detail on the political system and the way it works.

“You gain a lot of learning and it looks really good on a college resume,” said Stewart.

Boys can only attend Premier Boys State once as a citizen, and only during their summer between their junior and senior year. After that they may come back to work staff.

Premier Boys State will be held at Eastern from June 10 to June 17.