By Evan Foran (#0075)

At New York Boys State, everyone has unique stories and experiences when it comes to how they made it into the program, how they grew up, and how they show their dedication to our country. 

When it comes to showing American spirit, our fellow immigrant citizens are no exception. From Russia to America, meet Nikita Bushuev (#0414), a proud Boys Stater from Scheiberling County. 

Bushuev was born in Nizhny Novgorod, a city just east of Moscow. His father served in the Russian military for two years as required by their government, then became the captain of the police force specializing in road patrol. His mother was a lawyer before they came to America.

After winning the green card lottery, Bushuev, his sister, and his parents came to America in early 2014, relocating to Brighten Beach, Brooklyn. Because his father didn’t speak much English, he became an electrician while Bushuev’s mother began working a desk job in a doctor’s office. His sister, now in college, attends Hunter College in New York City and is part of their Honors program. His grandmother also immigrated to the U.S. a few years later.

Having spent seven years growing up in Russia, Bushuev’s first language was Russian and he didn’t learn English fluently until he got to the United States. Bushuev was able to master English very quickly.

“It was hard to learn English. It took about four or five years for me to become fluent. …YouTube videos really helped me learn it quicker,” Bushuev said.

Even before Bushuev came to Boys State, he has always been interested in joining the military, specifically hoping to become a naval officer.

“I mostly wanted to improve my public speaking skills and broaden my views on the military, and also learn from the veterans,” Bushuev said of his desire to come to Boys State. He has gone after his goal, currently serving as the County Executive for Scheiberling County. Bushuev later aimed for the Lieutenant Governor position as well, and gave a speech for the position during the conventions.

When asked about the immigrant experience and the unique perspectives that come along with it, Bushuev described how grateful he and many other citizens are who were immigrants too. He remarked about how amazing it is to be in a country where there is so much freedom, pride in the country, and opportunities for everyone, and how being able to come to the U.S. was a major improvement for the well being of his family. 

As for his family, Bushuev emphasized how much his family enjoys the benefits of the U.S., specifically how the government seems to serve the people and not the other way around.

“My grandma is super patriotic. She was mistreated by the Russian government when it came to retirement benefits. She loves it here,” Bushuev said. For his family, becoming an American was extremely fulfilling.

Bushuev and his family’s story reminds us all of the fantastic and unique opportunities that the United States gives all of us, and how even those who weren’t originally from here can still find a place and be accepted into our country and culture as one of us. No matter where we start from or the lives we used to live, we all deserve the chance to become proud brothers under the American flag.