SCOTTSDALE, Az.—Tro Panosian, a 17-year-old high school student from Scottsdale, was recently selected to attend the prestigious American Legion Boys Nation Program in Washington, D.C. from July 23-31. Panosian is one of 98 students in the country to attend the program. American leaders such as Tom Brokaw and Bill Clinton participated in the American Legion program during their teenage years.
A three-time class president and the incoming Student Government president, Panosian was selected by his school counselors to represent the school at the annual American Legion “Boys State.” For one week, in Flagstaff, Panosian participated in a mock state government and was elected precinct committeeman, a member of city council, mayor, and finally chairman of a fictitious mock-political party. He was also nominated as a finalist with six other young leaders and participated in an extensive and selective voting and interview process.
At the end of the week, Panosian was selected as one of 2 students, out of 350, to attend the annual American Legion Boys Nation Program. Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States will represent their state at Boys Nation, where the young leaders will receive an education on the structure and function of the federal government. Once there, Panosian will take part in a mock federal government, visit national monuments and memorials, meet with his state senators, John Kyl and John McCain, and have the opportunity to pass legislation. He will also visit the White House and have the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama, in addition to other political leaders. Panosian will also spend time drafting resolutions and bills to pass on the mock senate floor, and is preparing to pass legislation regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. All bills that pass in the mock government will be placed on President Obama’s desk and will be analyzed thoroughly.
“This is a prime opportunity for the president to hear the voice of America’s youth regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915,” Panosian says.
In addition to his nomination as a Boys Nation delegate, in April Panosian was also selected as one of 55 outstanding students in the Valley to compete in the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley Youth Salute Competition. After an initial interview, he was chosen as one of nine students to move forward in the competition. In the last stage of the contest, finalists were asked to give a brief speech about an unrevealed topic. He was selected as Youth Leader of the Year (first place), and will be traveling to St. Louis to attend a leadership conference in October.
For more information, visit www.legion.org/boysnation.
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