THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607240136
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 85 lines
WHEN HERMAN S. MIZELL arrived at American Legion Boys State of Virginia, he decided to seek one of its highest political offices.
After a four-day campaign that culminated with a brief, but impressive speech, Herman received a standing ovation and was elected lieutenant governor. It was the first time in 10 years that a Suffolk student had captured the office of a state official.
``I wanted Suffolk to be well represented,'' said Herman, a rising senior at Lakeland High School. ``In the beginning, eight or nine ran against me. I was voted in by ballot.''
Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion in each state, is designed to instruct high school students about state and local government.
Girls State, a similar program for high school girls, is held the same week at Longwood College.
The first Boys State in the nation was held in 1935 in Illinois; Virginia's first session was held 54 years ago. Students who attend learn citizenship and civic leadership through participation.
Virginia's annual session opened on June 16 at Liberty University in Lynchburg with a record number of 823 delegates in attendance. Students from public and private high schools are chosen to participate.
An honor student, Herman was one of eight Lakeland students chosen by the junior class as applicants for Boys State. Interviewed by a committee of the American Legion Post 57, he was one of four selected to attend.
``It was very much like military school,'' Herman said. ``I enjoyed it. We dressed in T-shirts and shorts and marched all over the campus, yelling out cadences.''
All delegates were assigned to one of two fictitious political parties, Federalist and Nationalist. They were also assigned to one of 14 Boys State cities named after famous military leaders to nominate and elect candidates for state and local offices.
Herman became a Federalist and a citizen in ``Pershing City.'' Election winners serve in those offices during the week and take on their respective duties and responsibilities.
``I had to give a speech to the Federalists and another speech to the combined parties,'' said Herman, 17. ``My theme was `I'm the Man With the Open Mind.' I ran against a student from York County and his city had poor sportsmanship. I took lots of votes from the Nationalists. I believe a person can be an honest politician. What I told the people I would do, I did.''
Students elected to the top three offices were inaugurated in a ceremony along with the Supreme Court appointments. The governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general each received a $300 scholarship to further their education.
Delegates to this intensive weeklong session heard addresses from various state and local officials. They included Gov. George F. Allen, Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., Attorney General James S. Gilmore III, Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy R. Hassell and Public Safety Secretary Jerry W. Kilgore.
The students attended classes on parliamentary procedure, CPR and public speaking. There were also football games and sports tournaments, a talent show and a parade on Friday that parents were invited to attend.
A native of Suffolk, Herman is the son of Janette Mizell of Lake Cahoon Road. He has a 9-year-old sister, Ceria.
Herman has established a record for good leadership. He has served as the Student Council Association's vice president at Lakeland. He is president of the Tidewater Regional Technology Student Association and a member of Lakeland's debate team, forensics team, CHROME and the Superintendent's Advisory Committee.
As a seventh-grader, Herman was the winner of the citywide Spelling Bee. During his sophomore year, he represented Lakeland at the Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar at Old Dominion University.
Last January, Herman won the Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest and presented his essay, ``The Challenges Facing Today's Youth and Keeping the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Alive,'' at the citywide birthday celebration.
Herman gives credit to his grandparents, Jonah and Priscilla Mizell, for his commitment to study and excel at school.
``My grandmother stays on my back all the time,'' he said, smiling. ``She wants me to go to church and study hard and she gives me encouraging words.''
Herman teaches vacation Bible school at the Word For Living Holiness Church and tutors his cousins when they need help with their studies. Until the end of August, he is working as custodian at John F. Kennedy Middle School.
Herman plans to attend college and major in biology and pre-med to become a pediatrician.
``I love working with kids,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Herman S. Mizell was one of four Lakeland High students chosen to
attend Boys State. by CNB