Walking onto campus for the first day of Boys State is both exciting and intimidating. For many delegates, it meant leaving behind familiar faces and stepping into an unfamiliar environment filled with new people, new responsibilities, and new experiences. While each delegate arrived with different backgrounds and goals, they all shared one thing in common: the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
One delegate admitted that his first thought after arriving was, “What have I gotten myself into?” Although he was excited to be there, he said he had “no idea what to expect,” a feeling that many first-time delegates shared.
For Dev Patel, the biggest challenge wasn’t just arriving—it was figuring out how Boys State worked. “I didn’t know what to expect at all,” he said. “I don’t know much about government, and I couldn’t really tell you what I wanted to run for or how the whole process worked.” After settling in, however, Patel said he became more comfortable in his role on the school board and believes the experience will help prepare him for leadership opportunities during his senior year.
Many delegates were also surprised by how quickly the program got underway. Within hours of moving into their dorms, they were meeting new people, campaigning for office, and attending meetings. Patel said the fast-paced schedule caught him off guard, along with the chants and the seriousness of the elections. “I didn’t think it was going to be that serious,” he said, adding that the overall scale of the program and the number of people involved exceeded his expectations.
The first day wasn’t without its challenges. Patel said the hardest part was adjusting to the constant movement between activities. “You had to go from place to place in such a quick manner,” he said. Despite the busy schedule, he said his first impression was clear: everyone was there to get to work.
Although the first day brought plenty of nerves and uncertainty, delegates agreed that those feelings quickly began to turn into confidence as they adjusted to life at Boys State. As the week continues, the lessons learned, friendships formed, and experiences gained are likely to become some of the most memorable parts of the program.