Amrit Pagar, a senior and Air Force JROTC Cadet at Hixson High School, attended the 2019 American Legion Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C. area during the summer break. He was selected as one of two Senators to represent Tennessee.
Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism. Pagar was previously elected county executive at the 2019 Tennessee Boys State, which had roughly 440 participants. Additionally, he was appointed Adjutant General.
At Hixson, Pagar has served as Junior Class President, orchestra manager and currently serves as the Air Force JROTC Cadet Group deputy commander. His activities include cross country, track, soccer, Air Force JROTC, and National Honor Society. He is a recipient of the AFJROTC Distinguished Cadet Badge and a graduate of the Mountaineer Cadet Officer Leadership School. A resident of Hixson, Pagar plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to study computer science and pursue a career in the U.S Air Force.
During the eight days at Boys Nation, the 100 participating student senators learned how the U.S. Senate and the federal government function. The participants divided into two political parties, the Federalists and the Nationalists during the program. Each conducted a party convention, set a platform, and nominated members for the elected offices of Boys Nation president, vice president, and party leaders. Each senator was to write a bill, introduce the idea, and debate the bill of his choosing before an appropriate Senate committee. If successful at the committee level, the legislation was voted on by the whole Senate. Bills passing the Senate were later signed or vetoed by the Boys Nation president.
The young men had the opportunity to tour the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall, and Korean War Memorial. They presented a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, saw the Iwo Jima Memorial and visited Capitol Hill for meetings with their state’s U.S. Senators. Student participants also attended a dinner hosted by American Legion National Commander Brett Reistad and visit the White House and personally meet with Vice President Pence.
This year’s group of Boys Nation senators represented the finest of nearly 20,000 incoming seniors who attended the 50 annual Boys State programs. Famous Boys Nation alumni include former President Bill Clinton, actor Donal Logue, Governors Chris Christie, and Scott Walker, and Senators Mike Lee and Tom Cotton. Notable Boys State alumni include Tom Brokaw, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Neil Armstrong, Roger Ebert, and Justice Samuel Alito.