By Beth Kelly
"Go big, or go home!” exclaimed Coleman Hawkins upon deciding to run for governor of Boys’ State, a program Tennessee Tech supports every year for high school juniors chosen by their teachers to live on campus for one week and learn what it is really like to be a part of government. Upon entering Boys’ State, Coleman didn’t really know much about the program, except that it was a “mock government.” Preparing for the election, Coleman said he simply wrote his speech and went in with an open mind, hoping for the best. His speech was based off the lessons of Christ and the Bible verses Matthew 20:25-28, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
"Go big, or go home!” exclaimed Coleman Hawkins upon deciding to run for governor of Boys’ State, a program Tennessee Tech supports every year for high school juniors chosen by their teachers to live on campus for one week and learn what it is really like to be a part of government. Upon entering Boys’ State, Coleman didn’t really know much about the program, except that it was a “mock government.” Preparing for the election, Coleman said he simply wrote his speech and went in with an open mind, hoping for the best. His speech was based off the lessons of Christ and the Bible verses Matthew 20:25-28, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
He wanted to
imply that we need to serve Christ as Christ served us. Why? Because,
“it is the only way to serve.” The crowd listened in a silent hush
during the speech, and their reaction afterwards was astonishing as they
erupted into a standing ovation. After returning from the podium,
Coleman’s counselor mentioned to him that he “connected with the crowd.”
As the election concluded and the votes were tallied, his conviction
paid off. He won! Running through his head were the thoughts of God’s
guidance, and that it was the right thing. Coleman will serve as
governor until next year’s Boys’ State. In that time he wants to lead
and serve through Christ, as well as teaching young people about
government and how it functions. Not being content with just a victory,
Coleman also says he “now has the joy of serving others.” I asked
Coleman, what, at the end of the week, he took most from the experience.
He simply responded, “I learned that I can do nothing apart from
Christ.”
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| Cookeville High School Boys' State Delegates; Picture by Blake Gentry |
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