By John Marino, #0242

As the Boys State program enters a new era with the inclusion of cell phones, many questions have arisen about their usage in the program.

Since Boys State was established in 1935, the technological advancements we now possess are vastly different from anything conceivable in the 1930s. Cell phones today have more power in our pockets than the room-sized computers of those days.

With cell phones now being allowed at Boys State for the second time, the question has rose of how we are supposed to use them. With every member now having access to a cell phone, many believe they are being misused during our time here.

While some delegates believe that the phones are just for the personal enjoyment of the members, others believe that the phones can be better utilized by the staff.

With tardiness already being a problem and cell phones in every pocket, counselors should take advantage of this to remind their cities/counties of meeting places and times so that the participants cannot claim ignorance of any time or location they are late to. This would help speed up the process, as if everyone is consistently on time, activities would run much smoother rather than having to wait for a late person to be found or show up because they were unable to accurately possess the information.

However, there is also another side to this idea, which argues against the use of cell phones at Boys State for such purposes. Historically, it has always been about the boys listening to their counselors and paying close attention to the schedule.

While tradition is important, the insufficient use of modern technology is a missed opportunity of a resource that can be taken advantage of. There is certainly a great opportunity with the addition of cell phones; it just depends on whether the higher-ups decide to adopt such an addition.

*John’s opinion does not necessarily reflect the entirety of the New York Boys State or its staff members, delegates or stakeholders.*