Hetuck Friday 2023

Volume 84, Issue 5

Friday, June 16th, 2023

Delegates Go Bananas About New Holiday

By Brady Hood

In May of 2016, following a child falling into the enclosure, the western lowland gorilla Harambe was shot and killed by the Cincinnati Zoo response team. Following this event, Harambe became a nationally loved phenomenon for digital humor and animal rights. After a push for bipartisanship and men’s mental health from the Governor, a bill was proposed to dedicate June 16th as “Harambe Unity Day.”

“The purpose of Harambe Unity Day is to showcase the unity of Buckeye Boys State,” said Nationalist Liaison Kyler Lunsford of Zulch City.

He emphasized “channeling the spirit of Harambe.” Chief of Staff Saul Rosales added, “[Harambe Unity Day is] bridging the divides of chaos.”

“

Events of Harambe Unity Day are being decided upon by a committee chaired by the Lt. Governor,” said Rosales. He emphasized that it is “a special committee.”

This committee is working toward incorporating the first Harambe Unity Day celebration as part of the afternoon festivities.

Speeches on the subjects of unity and

men’s mental health are planned for the celebration. Rosales continues, “The Harambe Unity Festival will also feature two keynote addresses on preserving this state’s beautiful environment and fully facing the epidemic of crises in the field of men’s mental health.”

Rosales said “Harambe is a token we’ve all loved and laughed at during our youth.” Executive Secretary William Kohut added, “We all think of laughing and good times when we think of Harambe, despite the prior tragedy.”

The government believes Harambe can give the citizens of American Legion Buckeye Boys State a symbol to all unite under and a happy face to promote well being. The Governor’s office has labeled Harambe as a light for bipartisanship and male mental health.

To celebrate the proposed holiday, the committee suggested a fun fest along with keynote speeches about the values instilled by Harambe.

The meaning of Harambe could change, and it is our decision if we will keep laughing or start caring.

“

Gorilla Warfare”

Drawing By Elden Slack

Governor Pushes for a Grand Festival on Saturday

By Nezar Shakaki

Following their appointments, Governor Nathan Malone and Lieutenant Governor Moawya Adhami have plans for multiple events to improve the morale, mental health, and community involvement at American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS). The largest of these plans is a grand festival and a kickball tournament organized by Adhami.

Roosevelt Punslan, the Chief of Staff to the Lt. Governor, announced the organization of the festival in an interview. Speaking of the administration’s plans, Punslan said, “So far we are in the midst of creating a campaign, and our main objective is to promote mental health our idea to do that was, on Saturday, the day before we graduate, to have a festival that allows everyone to spend at least an hour or two out under the sun.”

Adhami doubled down on this, adding, wanted to raise awareness especially for men veterans’ mental health, how it just gets very overlooked.”

As for the logistics of setting up a lastday festival, Punsalan stated that he “doubts [the project] is going to have to go through Parks and Rec.” Punsalan added, however, that the Lt. Governor’s office “is going to try and work with them to arrange something; that way, a larger festival is held.”

The Lt. Governor himself clarified, “We're meeting at 4:00 [on Thursday] to discuss all the specifics. Right now we just have a general overview of what we wanted to do.”

Additionally, Punsalan wanted to clarify his decision to hold the festival on Saturday. He stated, “Saturday is supposed to be the nicest day

of the week. It's supposed to not have a single cloud in the sky, so it should be fun that day If the worst comes to worst and the weather ends up being super stormy, then we'll just end up having indoor activities in our own building amongst our county.”

When asked about how the plans would fare in the General Assembly, Adhami responded, “I think [the bill] has a very high chance of being passed. I think that a lot of people, not just the people voting on it but everyone in Buckeye Boys, would be interested in it or would like to go to see what it is. So I definitely don't think we'll have a hard time getting [the bill] passed.”

Regarding the festival’s status in the General Assembly, Federalist representative Nathan Kennedy from Bishop City in White County, said, “I think everyone thought it was a good idea. If [the bill] does come back, I'm sure we'll pass it. We have no reason not to. It's just a good idea all around.”

Kennedy also mentioned that he sees the fair being very popular with all delegates, regardless of profession or party alignment.

Kennedy noted that he saw bipartisan support for the bill, saying, “It was not a party versus party thing. We all forgot the parties for a few hours and just got together.”

Adhami agreed, adding, “The yellow and blue doesn't really matter at this point... Now we're all just Boys Staters. The party doesn't really matter. So we're just trying to have this unity festival just to kind of unite everyone.”

Right now, the festival is supposed to be held shortly following the end of the business day on Saturday, though Adhami explained that they may have to hold the festival on Friday depending on factors beyond their control.

“Delegate Dodgeball” Drawing by Leo Walsh

Delegates Suing Highway Patrol

By Brody Montgomery

The State Highway Patrol has had their reputation questioned due to controversial interactions with delegates throughout campus.

The controversy started with Sean Thomas of Voisard City. Thomas stated that he finished his job and was going home from Millett Hall and was walking in circles around a State Highway patrolman. The officer then allegedly heckled Thomas and wrote a citation. Thomas took the ticket and ripped it up in front of the officer's face, claiming that it was after hours and that he was simply in recreation time. The ticket that was thrown in the trash has yet to be found, but if so could be a key piece of evidence in the lawsuit according to Genochio.

Thomas, however, is not the only individual who has, in their own experience, dealt with an altercation that resulted in some turmoil. William Genochio of Voisard City also believes that the highway patrol is behaving unfairly because of an interaction with the police that he believes was a violation of his rights.

Genochio was walking home and started to walk in the grass for a softer surface because he

was experiencing shin splints from his dress shoes. An officer came up to him and wrote a citation.

Because of his utilities and mortgage payments, Genochio said that he can’t afford citations; he said, “The highway patrol is an attack on the poor.” Luckily for Genochio, he was able to avoid the ticket when an unidentified man snuck behind the officer, ripped the ticket in half and ran.

Genochio hired attorney Kevin Turner from Voisard City as a defense attorney and tried to get five other victims – but possibly up to ten –to testify that they were victims of this kind of ticketing to prove a pattern.

Because of these difficulties, Genochio wants Governor Malone to step in and issue the patrol to peacekeeping training. He also voiced that he wants to “issue punitive damages to hold them accountable, we need a hit to their budget. I also want compensatory damages to anyone whose time was wasted with the tickets.”

Turner believes that some of Genochio’s aspirations may be overly optimistic as a class action lawsuit can’t happen until after a few cases regarding this issue are won for Turner’s team. However, Turner does believe in this case, saying, “We have several witnesses willing to testify against the highway patrol.” In the following days the lawsuit will officially be filed and taken into court.

Because of this public outrage, the State Highway Patrol may have to make reforms in their enforcement or face backlash from delegates and in the form of legal recourse.

William Genochio sues State Highway Patrol Art Drawing by Leo Walsh

Frank LaRose Speaks at Inauguration Ceremony, Lights Fire Under Delegates

By Landon Turner

Wednesday night’s inauguration ceremony welcomed Frank LaRose, Ohio’s Secretary of State (SOS). LaRose spoke before the inauguration of newly elected Governor of American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS) Nathan Malone, and delivered a rundown of his position and background, which brought the crowd to its feet.

LaRose grew up on a small family-owned farm in Northeast Ohio. Following high school, he enlisted in the 101st Airborne in the United States Army and served in the Green Berets.

Prior to his position as the SOS, LaRose served as a state senator and worked to improve government efficiency and transparency. He was elected to the position of SOS in 2019. His job is to administer elections and to incorporate new businesses in Ohio.

Following his speech, LaRose talked about

how Ohio ensures protection and security during the election process.

“

First of all, it starts with bipartisan organization. What that means is that every county board of elections is staffed with half Republicans and half Democrats and yes, they work well together and do this important job,” LaRose said. “It goes on to the process of registering voters and making sure those voter lists are accurate, we remove deceased voters on a monthly basis, we make sure only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, and we take this process very seriously”.

LaRose also offered some words of wisdom for the SOS for ALBBS, Brian Vann of Koppin City.

“First of all, the main duties as a SOS are running elections and helping people start businesses. These are two things that define our foundation of American life. The ability for free citizens to participate in this republic is paramount,” LaRose said.

“As the SOS, he will be responsible for upholding the integrity and accessibility of voting. As for starting businesses, that’s all a part of the American dream and it all starts with him”.

Perhaps the segment of LaRose’s speech that delegates felt was most powerful was his story about the importance of leadership. Vann admired LaRose and his message to the delegates of ALBBS. “Be bold. Take leadership. That’s what I took away from his visit” he said. “I feel like everyone here can really resonate with his message. Especially for those that think their position may not be significant or that they can’t be a leader”.

Carter Sharpnack of Koppin City, the speech writer for the Governor, also expressed his appreciation for LaRose’s visit. He said it was beneficial to hear from someone with as much experience as LaRose and that everyone at ALBBS can learn from LaRose’s experience. With ALBBS coming to a close, delegates still have two full days of business to put LaRose’s words into action. Brady Hood contributed to this story.

Secretary of State LaRose addressing delegates at the BBS governor inauguration.

Photo by Corin Chao