Twin City Observer

Boys State Head
Polls Largest
Vote In History

Seventeen year old Melvin Day of Huron, South Dakota, was elected governor of the eleventh annual South Dakota Boys' State at Aberdeen recently. The election gave him the largest majority ever polled in the history of this American Legion sponsored project. Inaugurated in Illinois in 1935 as part of the Legion's Americanism program the Boys' State idea spread rapidly, starting in South Dakota in 1940. Although dormant for three years during World War II it resumed activity in 1946, teaching

ing government and American ideals to high school juniors.

Rhode Island is the only state in the nation that does not have the program.

Melvin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Day, who live on a farm six miles northeast of Huron. He was the only Negro among 348 boys who participated in the conclave.

A junior at Huron High School he is a member of the school chorus, glee club and art club, and is photography editor of the school annual. As a member of the student council he is also vice president of the State Student Council Association.

He is active in the Kiwanis sponsored Key Club which promotes various service projects; sings in the choir of the Methodist church; and is a member of the Beadle County 4-H Council, winning top honors last year at the State Fair for which he received a 17 jeweled Bulova wrist watch.

The new Boys' State Governor is a licensed taxidermist and mounts game animals, fish and birds for hunters throughout the region.

His parents are Farm Union members; his father being a past vice president and his mother secretary-treasurer of the Beadle County Chapter. He has one sister Kathleen 13, and two brothers, Roger 10 and Leslie, who is a R.O.T.C. student at South Dakota College.

South Dakota Governor Sigurd Anderson, Mrs. Anderson and Melvin were honored guests at a Governor's banquet June 4th, at which Gov. Anderson spoke.

In addition to the medal presented each Boys' State Governor, and a gavel made of wood from the White House, Melvin also received a year's tuition to Northern State Teachers' College.

Inauguration ceremonies were attended by his father, sister and younger brother; his mother having been in California at the time.

In his inaugural address which was broadcast over five South Dakota radio stations, Boys' State Governor Day said, in part:

"During our short stay here we have had a practical lesson in democracy.

We have had friendly political battles . . . from the city precincts to the State elections. We have met in contests on the basketball floor and softball diamond.

And we have gathered as one body to learn and be inspired by men from all walks of life.

"Memories of 1953 Boys' State may fade, but something that will never die is that warm feeling of friendship that we have learned to share with each other. Each of us have made many new friends. . .

friendships that will outlast time itself.

"I think maybe this is the outstanding lesson we have learned at Boys' State that men may have different ideas and conflicting ambitions, yet work and play together in a true spirit of brotherhood . . . Everyone of us has the responsibility and opportunity of taking what we have learned at 1953 Boys' State home and putting it to use for the best interest of all.

"As we go home, the people of our communities will be looking to us for leadership.

We cannot let them down. It is our solemn duty, as Boys' Staters, to pledge ourselves to the service of God and country, dedicating our lives to the ideal that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth."

Melvin's sponsor to Boys' State was the Huron Rotary Club.