El Granada Student Takes on Sacramento Government

By the year 2015, one-third of the voting population will be youth voters. Though some parents may cringe at the thought of their "Jersey Shore"-fanatic sons and daughters casting ballots that will define the future, the young men of Boys State, such as Jacob Hines, have an understanding of the political system.

Hines, 17, was selected to take part in the governmental instruction program in which participants create a local, county and state government. He was given a scholarship to attend by the American Legion Coastside Post #474 in Princeton. The program operates in collaboration with American Legion chapters across the state.

“If these boys were running Sacramento I bet you they would come up with a balanced budget,” said Don Smith of the Coastside Post #474.

Hines was first selected by administrators at and then interviewed by officers at the Coastside Post #474.

“It teaches people lessons on how to get ahead in the political atmosphere,” Hines said.

Though Hines is not interested in a political career, he hopes to study aerospace engineering. He hoped that his acceptance to Boys State would teach him valuable professional skills, as well boost his college applications.

“The criteria is they have to be excellent students and Jacob is way overqualified,” Smith said. “These are the brightest boys in our state.”

After his acceptance, Hines travelled on the scholarship to California State University - Sacramento (Sacramento State) in June to create political platform for local, county, and state government over the course of one week. 

Hines worked alongside Boys State representatives like him representing schools across California.

“The hardest part, I think, was working with people I had no previous connections with,” Hines said.

The young men of Boys State campaign for various governmental positions and even take bar examines to vie for the higher positions. Through the process of elections, each boy is given a specific title and duty in their government.

“It’s really a great process. They literally take over Sacramento for a week.” Smith said. “They actually see what happens in their own government.”

Of the five counties and several cities, Hines was elected to be Attorney-at-Law and was also able to showcase his musical talents in the Boys State band by playing first chair trumpet.

He made a presentation in front of the approximately 1,000 delegates. The size of the audience didn't faze him, he said.

“I actually found it easier,” he said, than if it was in front of people he knew already. “That’s the funny thing about this; I won’t be seeing these people again.”

Though the program is short-lived each year, the program that began in 1935, has become a tradition that has spanned generations.

“We get these kids year after year and they’re just brilliant,” Smith said.

Hines is not the first in his family to attend Boys State. His father not only attended Boys State, but went on to become a Boys State counselor.

“He was thrilled to that I was accepted,” Hines said. “My father was a counselor for many years so I’m definitely interested in being a counselor in the years to come.”

No matter the field Hines chooses, he has certainly left a favorable impression to those who have worked with him.

“I can’t say enough about him,” Smith said. “I’ll tell you what, this young man is our future.”

Correction 7/7: Hines was elected to the Attorney-at-Law position at Boys State, not the Attorney General position as originally written. The article has been changed to reflect this.