Tidwell represents Comanche at Boys State

merican Legion’s Oklahoma Boys State, David Tidwell found out it was more than he ever expected or hoped for.

The day was filled with participating in mock government agencies from the city to the state level.

“I was part of the city council,” Tidwell said. “We had to do things that involved our city. There were like small nations and there were states and counties. I was part of the city of O’Leary in Patrick County.”

Establishing a government was just part of the week-long festivities, however, as they were kept busy all day long and with events lasting well into the night.

“We had classes that taught us about government, we had recreation time, there was an obstacle course at the beginning,” Tidwell said. “It was a really good time and we really felt united.”

The camp combines leadership, military, athletics and government simulations among other things.

The camp lasted from May 27-June 3. He was nominated by high school principal Steven Dunham.

Tidwell received the “Citizen of the Day” Award on the first day.

Boys State is for incoming high school seniors. Tidwell will be a senior at Comanche High School next fall. He was the only student from the area that he knew of at the camp this year.

Participants also received $1,500 worth of scholarships from Rogers State in Claremore if they choose to go attend there. Boys State is held on the college’s campus.

“It exceeded all my expectations,” Tidwell said. “I didn’t expect to build relationships in that amount of time. On the first