An Interview With Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy Isaac Jones, Reporter
Before a crowd of hundreds, a Justice of incredible merit and grandeur, Justice Sharon Kennedy, delivered an encouraging speech about resilience and the revenant power of failure. She compelled the delegates of Boys State to rise above a fall and to stand back up when they get knocked down. When the honorable Justice Kennedy gave an exclusive interview to members of the Hetuck staff, the first question was about the importance of a camp like Boys State. To this, she replied, “I think it foundationally makes young people understand the republic itself.” In addition, Justice Kennedy chronicled the lack of nuance with which people understand our republic and asserts that if one should truly know our system one must understand the balance of powers. The offices of which have a duty to, by, and for the people. The interviewer followed up with, “Why have you made it a priority to attend Boys State in your time as justice?” She smiled, stating, “I can’t think of a better place to come. To me, to see all of the young men coming here each year - they have to care enough about their country, their republic, a relationship with the legionnaires to give them time to come here. Mine is but a small contribution. I hope my words, at least some of them, give them inspiration and aspiration to rise and to really go forth and do what they want.” She passionately affirmed that the American dream is alive as long as her citizens draw breath and continue to embark on dreams of their own. Content with this answer, the interviewer then asked, “What is your advice to those who want to stand their ground on a political issue?” Justice Kennedy believes in a fact-based approach wherein one should have a coherent comprehension of
Thursday, June 17, 2021 the data presented. She then referenced her speech. “As I said in my speech, it is okay to disagree. That is the gift of our republic.” She continued speaking on freedom of speech and its importance in our “great experiment.” “More conversation rather than less conversation is what’s necessary,” she stated, truly pushing for dialogue between opposing viewpoints. Furthermore, Justice Kennedy took aim at the palisade of cancel culture, calling the idea foreign. She closed by recapping her answer: more speech, know the facts and practice respect. After the interview concluded, pictures were taken with the Hetuck Staff and the Justice kindly withdrew from the stadium with thanks for her service to Ohio and to Boys State.
Picture credits: Ethan Best
Volume 82, Issue 4
Blaine Bishop (left) taking a picture with Justice Sharon Kennedy (right)
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Pancost V. Welsh County: Tanis Found Innocent Patrick Burse, Reporter
On Thursday morning, the Welsh County courtroom in Presidents Hall held an interesting trial. Stockner City’s Tanis Pancost was charged with driving in the wrong lane, disrupting traffic, and 6 counts of speeding (running from the police). State Trooper Xavier Larson testified against Pancost, stating that the defendant knowingly broke the law on multiple occasions and attempted to get out of trouble by running away and hiding his nametag. Tanis was brought to the stand and questioned by both sides, stating that he was on the way to his job at the Department of Transportation with fellow employees, when he decided to pass them because “not gonna lie, they were really, really slow dudes.” In doing so, the State Highway Patrol officers saw him move into the left lane without a turn signal and approached him. As they told him to pull over, he complied and stepped to the side, but was described by the officer as being uncooperative. In addition, court documents state that some officers were telling him he was free to go while others were simultaneously trying to detain him. The combination of his confusion with their directions and one of the officers putting his hand on Pancost’s shoulder caused him to repeatedly testify that he was in “fear for his life” and flee the scene. With his hand on his chest, Pancost ran away. Officers testified that he was trying to hide his nametag in order to hide his identity, but Pancost’s attorneys argued that he was holding his chest to catch his breath. He ran from the troopers five more times and when he was finally ticketed, Tanis gave the officers a false name. After Pancost stated that he crossed the road because he did not believe any officers were nearby, Officer Larson asked whether or not Pancost believed an act would be legal or not if no law enforcement were present. After a long hesitation Tanis replied, “If a tree falls in the forest… well, you guys know the rest.” Pancost stated that the officers verbally harassed him, making fun of his appearance and abusing their power by placing hands on him. Larson was seen to be bullying Pancost on his appearance and mannerisms in the courtroom. Wyatt Moyer and Jacob Cook, attorneys for Pancost, stated in their evidence that the officers actively abused their power when talking with the defendant. Eye witness Matthew Jackson testified that he heard this and many other crude remarks toward Pancost and that he saw them chasing him and putting their hands on him. After many recesses and over an hour of debating and presenting arguments, Judge Daniel Amsbaugh ruled the evidence was in favor of Pancost, prompting him to drop all charges, and causing the rest of the courtroom to cheer for Tanis.
Curious Fruit Related Bill Passes Vote Ethan Best, Reporter
Delegate from the house of representatives Donald Furniss sponsored a bill that would require Governor Saxon to hold a piece of fruit in his right hand when he is in a business meeting. Mr. Furniss said that they were having some trouble getting their bills to committees. The bill made it to the floor however, and passed. Apparently the politicians of Boys State love the idea of Governor Saxton conducting meetings with an apple clenched in his right hand. The governor will most likely veto the bill, but according to Mr. Furniss, they will have the ⅔ majority required to override his veto. The governor surely already has his hands full, but now he has one more thing to worry about.
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Power to the Youth Jack Wolf, Reporter
In the midst of the nation’s widespread cultural fire and pain we must look to the wise. This week we as delegates have been granted unfettered access to some of the most learned and experienced members of our society; the Legionnaires. This week I was fortunate enough to meet Patric Leedom, a lifelong educator, author, activist and Navy Veteran. He began his formal teaching career in San Francisco in the early 60s, during a time of great social change pertaining to civil rights, anti-war, and women's liberation. Soon after he would alter paths to begin teaching at the highly prestigious Northwestern University. While there he quickly became impassioned with the modern teaching style of Montessori and would opt to pursue that in the Cincinnati Area. Years later he would earn his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in curriculum and instruction. Today Patric teaches a course on “Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms” at the University of Cincinnati. There is no question that our country is incredibly divided as of late. We are torn by our differences. I questioned Patric: “What are we to do to escape the great labyrinth of difference and divide?” Encouragingly he replied, saying that we need not look to the adults for answers, “they’ve already had their time for change.” The hope of our great nation lies in the hands of youth, “these young men and women must see through the opaque lens of innocence, free of corruption and create the world in living in their imaginations.” He progressed to commend the beauty of this program, “...here we have a group of men from across the state, who share a multitude of differences, and yet never are they bogged down by them.” For it is our differences that create innovation and change for the better. When we obsess over comparison, our personalities become minute. The dissociation from judgement we have experienced this week will motivate change. Education is the fuel which propels our world forward and inspires progressive thought in our next leaders. Patric has selflessly devoted his life to being that inspiration. All of the educational opportunities that he pursued over the years were not motivated by pride, but rather for the betterment and faith of the youth. It has been a great honor and privilege coming to know Patric over the past week. I encourage delegates to have conversation with those who have lived for Patric Leedom (left) unlimited insight lies there. poses for picture Picture credits: Jack Wolf
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Buckeye Boys State City Chants Patrick Burse, Reporter
The delegates here at Buckeye Boys State come together many times throughout the week at Millett Hall for a number of events. While the events are getting set up and as the delegates enter the stadium and take their seats, the different cities flood the room with a variety of chants and cheers. In addition to “the wave” going around the room multiple times each evening, and the surprisingly competitive nature of said wave between different sides of the stadium, some groups chant a funny practiced phrase or saying, yell and scream inside jokes from their city or party, and even take the time to cheer for and promote themselves and friends for upcoming elections. Overall, we see many if not all of the groups showing their spirit and having fun through these chants. Cities prepared and executed many different cheers and chants throughout the week. From the start, the city of Bishop led the movement with a multitude of cheers, which included repeating “Bishop, Bish-op…” or “White, White, White…” (the county Bishop is located). Similarly, many cities chant variations of their names, like Jordan with “Mich-ael Jor-dan” or just simply “Jor-dan, Jordan…” and Schnug chanting their name like the chugga-chugga of a train and displaying an “S” with their hands. Bishop also cheers and chants everywhere they go, calling out what they are currently doing throughout the day, like “We are jaywalking” and “We are in two lines.” Individuals have also got in on the action and added their own cheers to the mix. Some notable cheers were “Shark Bait Brouhaha” from Nemo, as well as "The March of the Winkies" (O-Ee-Yah, Eoh-Ah). During the Monday and Tuesday Debates, delegates in the audience would come up with phrases off the cuff to cheer on those they wished to show their support for. When cheering on specific candidates or parties, a lot of groups adopted the popular Let’s Go Pony! chant, which is often used at sporting events (e.g. “Let’s Go Federalists, Let’s Go, *Clap-Clap-Clap* or “Let’s Go Joe Schmoe, *Clap-Clap, Clap-Clap-Clap). Along with sports popular chants like these, there were many call-andresponses throughout the day and throughout the week. The Ohio standard “O-H” -- “I-O” has been around all week and will likely not go away anytime soon. Many times after playing, the band was cheered on with variations of “We love the band…” and many of the speakers were cheered on with delegates chanting their names. There is no doubt that these along with many other chants will evolve and show up the rest of the week and show Delegates (above and the great community right) performing variand spirit here at ous chants and cheers at Buckeye Boys State. the evening assemblies Picture credits: Gavin Kelly