Bodenham, Pieper excited for upcoming Boys State experience

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

Mt. Pleasant Community High School juniors Aaron Bodenham and Jack Pieper know how they?ll be spending at least one week of their summer, and they are looking forward to it.

Bodenham and Pieper will be representing Mt. Pleasant and American Legion Post #58 at Boys State in June at Camp Dodge, in Des Moines.

Both said they are anxiously awaiting the event and said they did some research and talked to former Boys Staters before submitting applications to attend.

?It looked like a great experience,? Bodenham remarked. ?I talked to past kids who did it, and they said they had a great time, so I thought I would like to try it.?

Pieper also said he discussed Boys State with past attendees. ?I wanted to learn more about government and thought this would be a good way to do it. I talked to some who have done it in the past and they enjoyed it. I also think it will be a good way to meet people.?

Bodenham, the son of John and Dawn Bodenham, of Mt. Pleasant, is active in show choir, jazz band, cross-country, track, Boy Scouts (he is an Eagle Scout) and the math club at the high school.

Meanwhile, Pieper, son of Michael and Janet Pieper, of rural Donnellson, has a similar slate of high-high school activities. He is in show choir, cross-country, soccer and the math club. He also helps his dad on the family farm.

Pieper said he recently became interested in attending Boys State. ?I didn?t really know much about it until I received the letter, and it (Boys State) looked interesting.?

?I first heard about it two years ago,? Bodenham noted, ?and my interest was sparked. I decided to follow up on it.?

Iowa American Legion Hawkeye Boys State is a six-day ?hands-on? experience in the operations of the democratic form of government, according to information on the American Legion website. It is an exercise in leading as well as following others, and will test skill in problem solving and working effectively within a team. Boys State is an opportunity to gain pride and respect for our form of government and learn about the price paid by people to preserve democracy.

Dean King, commander of American Legion Post 58, said it costs several hundred dollars to send students to Boys State. Selections for the honor, he said, are based on recommendations from the high school guidance counselor.

?It is a remarkable experience,? King said, referring to Boys State. ?A lot of top politicians attended Boys State at one time. The week is fascinating for them. It?s all about government and to appreciate our form of government.?

Bodenham said he views Boys State as a great learning experience. ?I also will be able to form individual friendships. I also think it will be resume building experience. I am looking forward to seeing what will happen.?

Pieper said he hopes Boys State helps him in building his teamwork and leadership skills. ?I am also looking forward to learning more about government and how it works. I had an uncle who was really into politics.?

Both students are leaning toward attending Iowa State University after high school graduation. Pieper said he would like to study bio- or ag-engineering. He said that although farming is not in his future plans now; it could become an option because he doesn?t have any siblings to take over the family farm.

As for Bodenham, he said he loves math and science. ?I?m leaning toward doing something in physics, maybe at Iowa State or some other respected science school. I hope Boys State adds to what I plan to do in the future.?

The Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post is hosting a fundraiser to help defray expenses of sending students to Boys State. Plans are for a chili/salad supper on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall. A free-will donation will be taken.