Rockwall High School student graduates from Texas Boys State

Austin, TX (June 18, 2025) – The American Legion, Department of Texas, today announced that Nico Patrick of Rockwall High School has graduated from the American Legion Texas Boys State. During the week, the delegate was elected to County Chief Justice for the Court of Appeals. Nico led several elected associates in a review of cases where they evaluated whether the ruling upheld the constitution.

Here is a summary of reflections from Nico’s experience.

Initial Expectations vs. Reality:

• Expected it to be another resume booster or typical summer camp.

• Quickly realized it was intense and demanding — “long hours and minimal sleep.”

Biggest Surprise:

• Formed genuine friendships with peers in his assigned city.

• Inspired by the motivation and drive of fellow participants, which elevated his own engagement.

One Word to Describe Boys State:

• Perseverance – witnessed and practiced through campaign losses, long meetings, and collective commitment despite exhaustion.

Perspective on Leadership:

• Learned to lead a group of already accomplished leaders.

• Discovered effective leadership means balancing guiding others and being their advocate.

• Realized successful leaders listen, represent others’ ideas, and don’t just give orders.

Begun in 1935, Boys State is a unique program that educates future leaders about government, civics, and patriotism in a “learn by doing” environment. Each delegate has just finished his junior year of high school and was hand-picked by teachers, counselors, and local American Legion posts throughout Texas to attend this one-week seminar.

During the week, the delegates were evenly split into fictional parties of the Nationalist and Federalists. Each party drafted party platforms, elected party officials, nominated candidates via primary elections, and contested a general election against the rival party and its candidates. The delegates ran for many kinds of offices including state, district, county, and city offices. Those elected to the House of Representatives and Senate spent the week drafting, debating, and passing bills on a wide range of social and economic issues.

This year the delegates heard from dozens of distinguished guest speakers, including Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Joe Maguire, retired U.S. Army Major General Tony Cucolo, and several members of the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate speaking on topics of leadership and public service.

On Wednesday, June 11, Texas Boys State enjoyed a parade from the University of Texas at Austin campus to the Texas State Capitol, where they toured the building and dropped in on their hometown representatives’ offices.

For more information on American Legion Texas Boys State, visit TexasBoysState.com.

Submitted by Jaime Patrick, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos.

  feature, Rockwall, Rockwall High School, texas boys state