American Legion Post 16 volunteers, from left, Larae Sibley, Andrew Krug and Christy McKenzie prepare on Friday bag lunches.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
For participants in the annual Boys State week at the University of Nevada, Reno, delegates from Clark County have discovered their road to learning also stops in Fallon.
The American Legion nationally sponsors and supports Boys State, a summer leadership and citizenship program for Nevada’s high school juniors. On their way to and from the university, the delegates stop in several towns along U.S. Highway 95 including Fallon. American Legion Post 16 fed the boys with breakfast on their way to the university and gave them sack lunches on their way home on Friday.
Nick Scott, executive director of Nevada’s Boys State program, said stopping in one of the smaller towns is a shock for many of them.
“It’s an eye opener because we’re all coming from Las Vegas,” he said, grinning. “Coming through here, especially with the Legion’s support, makes it so much easier. When we do stop, the small towns and their people take of us.”
Scott added the delegates also see another beautiful part of Nevada.
“It’s beautiful, and the kids enjoy it,” he said. “This is a big, little city, right?” Fallon’s awesome.”
By traveling through rural Nevada, Scott said the delegates learn more about the state’s culture and history. He said the boys saw the Army’s ammunition depots when traveling through Hawthorne and learned more about the mining industry from such towns like Tonopah.
Paul “Pip” Valentin, a Marine Corps veteran and member of Post 16, was a chaperone for the program. Once the delegates left Fallon, he said Post 8 in Las Vegas will ensure the delegates have a ride home.
Although he didn’t stay for the week-long sessions at the university, he rode with the students from Las Vegas and is doing the same, but only from Reno to southern Nevada.
“I came back to Fallon, worked my regular day job, and took the day off to take them back home,” Valentin added.
During their week in Reno, the delegates learn about governing and Nevada’s political scene. Their general session usually features a motivational speaker or political figure. Past speakers have included former Gov. Brian Sandoval, former Attorney General Adam Laxalt, the late U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and Las Vegas journalist Jon Ralston.
Afternoon sessions may include sessions, political party caucuses, committee meetings or team building.
What the delegates learned in a week amazes Valentin.
“Just hearing them on the bus is amazing,” Valentin said during the 30-minute stop in Fallon on their way back to Las Vegas. “I can tell who really took Roberts Rules of Order into play. There have been vetoes, there have been motions made on the bus. Lots of ayes, a few nays made,” Valentin said. “They’re learning these rules so they can learn our democratic process.”
Valentin said being around the delegates should give Nevadans hope knowing their future leaders are homegrown for future roles.