The last day of Boys Nation had the senators meeting in session for the last time. A productive morning that ended all too quickly and it was time for the final gravel to hit the podium. But the afternoon was on the horizon, and the excitment mounted. The senators were headed for the White House with the good possibility of meeting the President. And meet them they did. The boys were joined by Girls Nation senators and together, they all posed in the East room of the White House for a photo. President Obama arrived to greet all of the senators and he shook the hand of each one. A real treat occured then for the senators as they were led outside on the White House lawn and watched the President board and leave on Marine One. The evening brought a wonderful graduation dinner and then assembly where the boys were given certificates of graduation. A bittersweet time for senators and staff alike as we all say goodbye to Boys Nation 2012.
Day seven was "Hill Day" as the senators were met by the Girls Nation senators and together stormed Capitol Hill to meet with their respective senators and representatives. Although the tempertures were hot, the delegates had a productive and exciting day. Evening brought a favorite assembly speaker, Nesse Goden, survivor of the Holocast. Nesse's story stirs emotions deep inside her audiences and every Boys Nation delegate who hears her, loves her. It's an evening to remember a lifetime.
Day six was a busy day for the senators as the majority of it was spent off campus. Inauguration for both the President and Vice President took place at the D.C. national headquarters of The American Legion with the Hon. Sparky Gierke and Hon. Alan Lance presiding. From there, the afternoon was spent at the Supreme Court where the senators enjoyed a wonderful hour with the Court Clerk , Gen. William Suter. The evening included a visit from for Boys Nation alumni who shared their stories and words of wisdom with the senators.
Day five brought more senate sessions for the senators where a number of bills were entered with some passing fairly quickly. In the afternoon, the much anticipated candidate debates took place and after dinner the election process took center stage. The newly elected President of Boys Nation is Jonathan Hess from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and the Vice President is Joseph Aumuller, from Libertyville, Ilinois.
