Over 300 High School Juniors Gather At RSU For Oklahoma Boys State Program

The Oklahoma Boys State program has returned to Rogers State University this week. More than 300 high school juniors from across Oklahoma have gathered at RSU to participate.

During the week, the high school students will learn about the American government from patriotism and civic responsibility to being better young men.

According to Cmdr. Corey Brooks, the director of Oklahoma Boys State, the goal is to be better than what is seen in government today by understanding the value of American democratic principles and institutions.

Brooks said that the country is very divided right now, and that this program encourages these kids to not emulate what they see on television regarding politicians but to figure out how to be better.

"Our underlying motto is what unites us is greater than what divides us, and we try to install that, what it really means to be an American here at Oklahoma Boys State," Brooks said.

Brooks said that this is the perfect time to teach these young men about these values as they step into leadership roles in their high schools.

"This is a prime opportunity to get them at their peak of the maturity, right before they hit that level, and really just invest in them about what it takes to move democracy from one generation to the next," Brooks said.

The high school students who participate can earn three hours of college credit at RSU just by participating in the program. These students can also earn a $500 tuition waiver and a $1,000 housing waiver per semester if they attend RSU.