The Hetuck - 2024 - Volume 85, Issue 2 - Tuesday

85, Issue 2

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Young Lawyers in the Making

Buckeye Boys State takes on the Bar Exam

By Ares Hunter

With the start of the 2024 American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS) experience Sunday, delegates were faced with the same question of what occupation they should choose to pour their time into. For many of them, the answer started with the Bar Examination.

The Bar exam is a 50-question exam required for delegates running for a position related to law. The content on this exam includes substance related to courts, attorneys, prosecuting, and various content from the Ohio Government Digest.

The exam was held at Farmer Hall, Room 1000 starting on Monday at 9:30am. The positions opened up from passing the Bar exam range from local city law director to the chief justice.

Owen Pennington of Schuck City – who took the exam – described the testing environment as, “big and open” and said, “I felt very comfortable.”

This opinion wasn’t the only one of its kind, though, as Grayson Delarber of Favreau City agreed, saying, “The seating arrangement was comfortable, I really liked the seats.”

The passing percentage for this exam was 88%, which to many delegates seemed very high. Yet, the job opportunities opened if passed may make this benchmark more understandable.

When asked if he thinks the passing rate is too high, Pennington responded, “That is a pretty high mark, but I think if you really want the best lawyers, you need to have a high mark”

Prior to this exam, it can be expected that the delegates had much to study and prepare for. Kaaden Cleavenger of Stockner City spoke of his preparations, saying, “I skimmed through the main

Delegates filled the David R. Taylor Auditorium in the Farmer School of Business to take the Bar Exam, which is needed when entering law.

part of the [Ohio Government Digest].”

The bar exam is given as a rolling exam, which means delegates will be taking it continuously throughout the period that it was administered, rather than at a single scheduled time. This way, they can maximize the amount of people taking the test and simultaneously give delegates the room to take a break and get their bearings before utilizing their second attempt, if need be.

Despite the fact that not everyone passes the bar exam, there are ample opportunities to still find a fulfilling job. With the conclusion of the exam many of those who passed will go on to run for law-related positions.

To many the bar exam has more significance than just an exam, and is also a testament to their law practitioners’ expertise and knowledge. It plays a crucial part in ALBBS, mirroring its importance in the real-world.

Photo by: Max Shank

One Candidate’s Journey:Ambition, Loss, and Finding Purpose

By Dan Richmond

Governor candidate Devin W. Greene of Zulch City believes he has an interesting way for getting votes from fellow delegates of American Legion Buckeye Boys State. In an attempt to differ from other candidates who may just ask for signatures, he instead asks for a conversation.

He introduces himself and explains his mission when going up to a delegate with his signing paper, and then sits it down wherever he may be. Greene shakes the delegate’s hand and then starts the conversation, establishing a personal connection with them.

He thinks this is a valuable part of his campaign, saying, “I would be a good representative of the average person, not because I’m in the streets saying vote [for me] for governor but because I’m willing to sit down and have conversation.”

Greene believes that his values are different from other candidates, saying, “I am truly someone that wants to do the best… I’m not doing it for my ego.”

from the Blue Book.

Greene explains his predicament by saying, “What do I do? Do I spend 50 minutes for the bar [exam]? Or do I spend 50 getting signa-

When asked what new policies he would potentially put into place if elected, he explained what he calls “The double E’s. Economy and education.”

In the end, Greene didn’t win in the primary for governor. We followed up with him, and he is still working at the state level as Director of Operations for Administrative Services.

Greene’s input on his new job is, “Politically speaking, I feel like I lack punching power.” He explains this by saying, “It’s like going from Batman to a police officer”

Devin W. Greene of Zulch City

However, not everything has been easy for Greene. He has also had to decide on whether to take the bar exam, which delegates wishing to hold law-related positions have to take. It is 50 questions, with content including information about courts, attorneys, and various other pieces

Greene went on to say, “But a police officer is still an amazing job that everyone should want to do, but it’s not the same as batman.”

Although Greene and Governor Coffman never met aside from one interaction, Greene showed his respect for Coffman during the Governor's inauguration.

“Gavin gave a great inaugural address… I was definitely one of the loudest clappers and one of his biggest supporters.”

Photo by: Jacob Dougherty

Is Digital Voting Better?

By Hunter Igel

This year marks the first year of digital voting at American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS), a monumental change in the program. This new method promises a faster and more efficient way of voting for delegates, although a few errors have occurred.

Previously, voting required delegates to walk across the campus and head towards the election center, where they would vote for candidates running for city, county, and state positions. This system led to many problems and highlighted the need for a more efficient system.

"There [would] be frequent log jams; it could become congested, and it relied on a single computer lab," elections counselor James Sforza said.

The new system allows delegates to vote in their local cities, which is intended to allow for faster delegate voting. However, it didn’t go completely as planned. In many counties, the election came to a complete standstill due to internet issues causing delays.

"It was expected to not take too long, but in the morning I know those votes took 30 to 40 minutes to cast," said Alexander Votshka of Estepp City. The initial problems with internet connectivity left many delegates frustrated, but most are optimistic about future improvements.

While both the old and new systems have their problems, the new system will most likely be the best option moving forward for ALBBS elections.

"Logistically, it helps our process happen a lot faster and helps us respond in real-time to issues instead of having to wait," Sforza added. This new approach also mirrors real-world voting processes more closely, preparing delegates for future civic duties.

Although the new online voting system experienced some initial setbacks, it promises to be faster, smoother, and more efficient than the old

method. This advancement heralds a more streamlined future for delegate voting. This sentiment is echoed by the delegates.

"The online system is more convenient for the cities," Isaac Peytan of Wiehe City stated. The initial hiccups with internet connectivity are being addressed, and improvements are underway to ensure a seamless voting experience in future elections. The transition to digital voting marks a pivotal step forward for ALBBS, aligning with broader trends in electoral processes worldwide.

This change is a progressive move toward modernizing traditional systems. As the kinks are ironed out, digital voting could set a new standard for efficiency and accessibility in elections at ALBBS and beyond.

Overall, the move to digital voting at ALBBS is a significant development that promises to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the election process, despite the initial challenges. As improvements continue to be made, the future of

Post Debate Governor Interviews

By Jacob Dougherty

In a tight race for Buckeye Boys State Governor, all delegates watched the Nationalist and Federalist candidates running for state positions battle it out on stage in the annual Meet the Candidates Debate and Party Rally.

Gavin Coffman of Ridenour City, the Federalist governor candidate, thinks the strongest element of his party is their accessibility. He said, “We’re all a family… I’ve been walking around campus making friends left and right I just want to show everyone that I’m for the people [and] here for support.”

Throughout the debate, he prioritized relationships, mental health, and being “colorblind” to party allegiance, laying out his goals for the admin-

Owen Bookman of Albert City, the Nationalist governor candidate who was asked the same question, said, “I believe that I represent everybody, that I am for the people. I believe I have met everybody and have a little piece of everybody in my beliefs and policies that I will be passing.”

He emphasized personal connections and being approachable, saying, “I am friends with everybody… even though [Federalists] can’t vote for me, they have been supporting me and helping me push through.”

Both candidates stressed their relationship with individual delegates and making sure everybody is heard. Though there will ultimately be one winner, both candidates have garnered a lot of respect from both parties for all the hard work they have put in throughout the campaigning process.

responds to questions at the Meet the Candidates Debate and Party Rally.

Nationalist Governor Candidate Owen Bookman (right) answers questions at the annual Meet the Candidates Debate and Party Rally.

Photo by: Elliot Wall

Photo by: Max Schank