Woodstock Teen Selected for Boys Nation in Washington

A teen from Woodstock is one of two students selected for the 2024 American Legion Boys Nation to represent the state of Georgia in Washington D.C.

Grant Pool of North Cobb Christian School, from Woodstock, was selected to serve as a student senator representing the Peach State at the national event.

The other Georgia student senator is Benjamin Blackwood of the Walker School.

Founded in 1946, Boys Nation is an annual weeklong training program where rising high school seniors learn the structure and function of the federal government.

Multiple Boys Nation graduates have gone on to hold successful political careers, including former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Like the U.S. Senate, each state selects two student delegates to represent them in the program.

In early June, Pool and Blackwood, both 17, were selected to participate in the 2024 Georgia Boys State program. Much like the national program, Boys State is an American Legion event where students learn the operation of local, county and state government.

Pool applied for the program after hearing about it from his friends.

“Hearing about the magnitude of its effects really inspired me to try it out,” Pool said.

Legal aspirations

Pool, an aspiring lawyer, is looking to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Robert Buettner, by going to law school.

Blackwood, also an aspiring lawyer, was initially inspired to begin a career in law thanks to his time watching episodes of “Judge Judy” with his grandmother when he was young.

He was encouraged to apply for Boys State by his father, Maurice, who himself graduated from the Florida Boys State program in 1993.

“(Boys State) sounded appealing especially to someone who loves politics and is a people person,” Blackwood said. “I knew it was really rigorous because of the schedule, but I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about local government,” Maurice Blackwood said.

The 2024 Georgia Boys State took place at Valdosta State University.

In the program, students create a fictional state and conduct city, county and state elections. Participants were encouraged to run for as many positions as possible.

Both Blackwood and Pool campaigned for multiple positions in the fictional state. Blackwood said his campaign for district attorney focused primarily on being a fair, unprejudiced candidate.

“For the district attorney, it’s all in the speech,” Blackwood said. “You have to make sure your speech is convincing, people can understand what you are saying and you make good on what you are saying.”

Pool was inspired by his mother Kim’s work as a teacher in Title I schools when formatting his campaigns. His speeches primarily focused on his support for reforming youth education systems and helping support the mental health of veterans.

“Advocating for the youth is one of my major goals. I want to speak for the people who cannot speak for themselves,” Pool said. “So many youths are misrepresented and thrown to the side, especially minorities and immigrants. Protecting youth against corruption and (correcting) legal processes is one of my goals.”

Rather than writing and reading his speeches, Pool decided to conduct more research about his topics and present his findings from memory. He felt this approach was the best one after watching other students give their speeches.

“I found that the impactful speeches came from those who connected to audiences better,” Pool said.

Some of Pool’s friends that he made during the week also helped him come up with his campaign slogan: “Pool is Cool.”

Headed to Washington

During Boys State, Blackwood and Pool learned they were both eligible for the open student senator positions at Boys Nation.

American Legion representatives pulled them aside, along with other eligible candidates, to conduct interviews about leadership and the qualities of a proper leader.

One question Blackwood remembers being asked was, “What letters do not belong in the word ‘Team?”

Blackwood’s response: “There is no ‘I’ in ‘team.’

“At the end of the day, it’s five people staring at you. I was hoping they were impressed with my answers given the circumstances,” Blackwood said.

By the end of the week, Blackwood won his election for district attorney, and was elected to the state Supreme Court.

“It’s almost a legacy thing,” Blackwood said. “My dad was also in the Supreme Court when he went to Boys State, and the effort made into the campaign was 110%.”

Pool’s campaigns ended with victories for the mayor, state representative and lieutenant governor positions. At graduation, he also received the “Outstanding Mayor” award by American Legion representatives.

“It was thrilling to know that my hard work paid off throughout that week,” Pool said. “(I realized) my potential in my ability to connect with others.”

At the end of the graduation ceremony, the American Legion announced their selections for Boys Nation. Upon hearing the news, Blackwood’s parents were moved to tears.

“It highlights that the sky really is the limit,” said Maurice Blackwood.

Blackwood’s mother, Theolyn, added, “I know it’s easy to say, but I really am very proud of him.”

The 2024 Boys Nation will run from July 17-26 in the nation’s capital. Much like Boys State, student senators will participate in mock campaigns during Boys Nation by organizing party conventions as well as nominating and electing a president and vice president.

According to the Boys Nation website, the week’s agenda consists of lectures, forums and visits to multiple landmarks sites across the city, including the White House.

The trip also includes a visit to Capitol Hill where students will meet with elected U.S. senators from their states, with the potential opportunity to meet President Biden.

Despite his surprise winning the position, Blackwood said he feels ready to take on this new challenge.

“In my opinion, Boys State requires 110%, but Boys Nation requires 150%,” Blackwood said. “Knowing I’m going to be in the same boat as one of the presidents of the United States is pretty huge.”

Pool called the experience “life-changing,” and said he is excited to be a part of the prestigious group.

“I’m just honored to be considered up there with those kinds of people,” Pool said. “I know I worked hard to be there, and it’s helping me realize what I am capable of.”