Later this month, eight girls and five boys from Secaucus will journey south to Rider University in Lawrenceville to help elect a new state government.
Just under 500 girls and 500 boys from around the state will gather at two different times as part of a 67-year-old program to help kids learn about the creation and operations of government.
From these two groups, legislators will be elected to attend a similar conference in Washington D.C. to learn about how government works there.
Secaucus American Legion Post 118 Commander John Dalessio said the weeklong session at Rider, part of a program known as Boys State and Girls State, promotes “a more active and intelligent interest in the operation of state government and in the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.”
Boys State and Girls State are described as “nonpartisan, nonpolitical attempts to teach and inspire a love of God and country into the youth of America. Their purpose is to provide a practical application of Americanism and citizenship training for girls and boys who display potential leadership. These girls and boys are recruited from juniors and seniors in high school and are given an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens in a mythical 51st state, learning the privileges, duties, rights and responsibilities that they will assume when they become adults.”
The girls and boys are from all ethnic and social backgrounds, and from rural and urban areas. In this state, there are no Democratic and Republican parties, but two parties called Nationalists and Federalists. For many, this is their first exposure to the value of self-government. So in order for them to understand how the system works, girls and boys are assigned to each of these parties.
They don’t just learn about the political system; they get to be injected into it. They caucus, establish party platforms, debate bills, campaign, rally, vote, elect, and carry out the duties of their elective and appointed offices.
The citizens of Girls State and Boys State will elect state senators and assemblymen who will conduct the meetings of their respective houses and debate bills and resolutions, some of which will be presented to the governor of the Girls State and another for Boys State. The governors will appoint cabinet members and heads of state agencies that will meet and discuss current issues. Throughout the week at Rider College, a host of actual government officials will speak, and the citizens of this state will question them.
It sounds like fun
All of the boys attend Secaucus High School. According to Dalessio, the boys were interviewed by Boys State Chairperson Judy Balderacchi. Their trip is being sponsored by Sons of America Legion Squadron 118, Secaucus Police Benevolent Association, the K&S Social and Athletic Club, the Secaucus Kiwanis Club and the American Legion Memorial Post 118.
The girls were sponsored by The Secaucus School Administrators Association, the Secaucus Supervisors Association, the Mayor and Town Council, Police Chief Dennis Corcoran and the Sons of American Legion Squadron 118. It costs $200 to send each delegate.
James Korycinski, of the five boys, said he had heard about the program from other students who had attended the event in the past.
“I’ve always been interested in government and how it functions in New Jersey,” he said. “I hope the experience will enhance my knowledge on the subject.”
Pat Cocucci, who is president of his 11th grade class, had heard about the program from other students. “I wanted to learn first-hand and participate in government,” he said. “I thought it would be good experience and a way to promote myself.”
Mike Addeo and Ryan Dornan said they had similar reasons for going.
Scott Coar’s brother had attended Boys State and he said he decided to apply because he thought it would help prepare him for college. “I’m looking to meet people and build a network of contacts,” he said.
Seven of the girls from Secaucus attend Secaucus High School, and one girl attends Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, N.J.
Lisa Totaro family members had gone previously, and she thought she would like to meet new people. Angela Lucente said her mother and aunt went when they were young. “I wanted to see if I could stand to be a week away on my own,” she said. “That will help me decide if I want to go away to college or not.”
Lindsey Flora said she thought it would be a good experience as well, and that her older sister and brother had both attended previously. Although she is a member of student government, she is not certain whether this will lead her to pursue a career in government.
Heather Citro believes it will be a fun experience. Andria Gerbasio, whose two brothers attended Boys State, said she believes she will learn more about government.
“It sounded like fun,” said Christine Pirro, another one of the eight girls. “I also think I’ll learn more about government.”
Gina Sallustio said she expected to meet a lot of new people as well as learning about government.
A program designed to promote patriotism
The original program was founded during the 1930s Great Depression in an effort to promote civil leadership. During an era that saw the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy, the America Legion began to worry about the survival of democracy, and whether young Americans could learn to govern as efficiently as Italy and Germany without becoming totalitarian.
In 1935, the American Legion began to gather teenage representatives from high schools around the country for a few days each summer. In these gatherings, the Legion instituted training programs on the process of city and state government. This early effort was called “Boys State.” In 1938, as the program grew throughout the United States, the American Legion opened it up to girls, founding “Girls State.”
New Jersey Girls State began in 1947 and was originally held at Douglas College.