‘Good morning Mr. Gov’na’: Fairhaven teen elected to top position of governmental program – SouthCoastToday.com

FAIRHAVEN Wearing a bright red Hawaiian shirt, Eddie Gonet IV stepped up to the podium and campaigned for the position of Governor at the American Legion Boys' State program.

"Everyone said I'm like Bernie Sanders," Gonet said of his speech style.

Gonet, a Fairhaven resident andrising senior at Old Rochester Regional High School through school choice, along with six other students in his class attended the annual Boys and Girls State programs. Based on a selection process through teachers, a few students from each school around the state were invited to attend the program. Because the convention-style program was not held last year due to COVID-19, more spots were made available to students this year. Gonet was joined by Samuel Harris, John Kassabian and Tyler Trudeau for Boys State. American Legion Auxiliary sponsoredGirls State.

"It was nice to know a few people going into it, but we split up once we were there," Gonet said. "It gives you a taste of what college will be like. I had to make friends and I shook a lot of hands."

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Divided into two political parties, Federalist versus Nationalist, over 200 students pitched themselves to each other running for various political positions for each of their towns. While each side didn't focus on traditional Federalist or Nationalist characterizations, the students created their own party platform advocating for bettering the environment and education.

The week-long program was filled with caucasus, pre-primaries, primaries and general elections. Gonet said there was "a whole lot of speech writing every night." Going into the program, Gonet wanted to secure a spot as town selectman. After consideration, he realized that he only gets to experience the opportunity once, so he decided to "just go for it" and ran for governor.

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In the campaigning process, Gonet wasn't even sure he'd make it past the primary election, but with every speech he got the crowd more excited.

"Everyone enjoys the speech and has a good time, nobody wants to be lectured," Gonet said. "It was a young audience and you had to cater toward them."

Counselors and head American Legionnairesobserved speeches and oversaw the campaigning process. Gonet said that one head legionnaire even approached him and said he was the most prepared candidate he had ever seen, with a list of talking points and a full cabinet ready upon election.

Going into debate, Gonet referenced his choices for cabinet, pointing them out in the crowd and their responsibilities, something that had never been seen before at Boys State. When asked about his plans for infrastructure, he replied that he has a team already working on it.

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While this was a mock election, the boys remained in character the entire week. Gonet recalled the emphasis on bipartisanship in his campaign, and even demonstrated it in the cafeteria when he and his party helped open sour cream packets for the other party, making a big deal out of the crossing paths. He said typically, there is no help exchanged between parties during the program, and he brought it up in a later speech to help pitch himself.

"If we all work together, we really are better off working together to achieve a greater goal,"Gonet said.

Harris, Kassabian and Trudeau were all elected selectmen of their towns. Harris ran for statewide office and went pretty far in the race, but dropped down to selectman. After Gonet was elected governor, he left his bedroom door open that night, only to be greeted with his entire party the next morning with, "Good morning Mr. Gov'na."

"Everyone got along so well," Gonet said. "The kids are all so supportive, even the bad speeches got applause."

Prior to the program, Gonet hadalways expressed an interest in politics and law. He said his parents were a little nervous, not knowing what would come out of the experience. Once he was elected governor, they thought that maybe he is good for politics.

After high school, he intends to pursue a career in corporate law, ashe previously believed "politics is more of a retirement job." After the weeklong program and his success in campaigning, he's thinking that he might try to run a little earlier in life.

Gonet is involved in student council and serves as the student representative on the ORR school committee. He said after this week, he plans to take a different approach with how he handles himself in front of an audience.

"I learned a lot about networking with people, catering to the audience and getting everyone excited," Gonet said. "I won't be as bland and boring."

Entering his senior year of high school, he hopes to attend the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, but he said he'll go wherever is the cheapest.

"As the quote goes, 'Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you'll land among the stars,'" Gonet said.

The program housed high school juniors on campus at Stonehill College for one week while students hashed out debates and elections. Attendees were required to either be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Masks were worn in large group settings. Gonet said there was a lot of hand shaking and hand sanitizer.

"It made the experience even better," Gonet said. "It was the first large event I've been to in a year-and-a-half, so it was nice seeing people having a good time."

Each student was sponsored by attorneys, mayors and other local political figures to cover the fees for the entire week, as the goal of the American Legion is to make the program free for everyone. Gonet was sponsored by the American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280 in Mattapoisett.

"Going into it, everyone said it would be a life-changing experience," Gonet said. "I said, 'no way,' but it definitely was. Lots of learning skills, communicating and ways to enhance your community."

According to the organization, American Legion Boys State is one of the most respected and selective educational programs of governmental instruction for high school students. Founded in 1935, the program attendees become part of the operation of local, county and state government where they learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens.

Standard-Times staff writer Kerri Tallmancan be reached at ktallman@s-t.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ktallman_SCT for links to recent articles.

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'Good morning Mr. Gov'na': Fairhaven teen elected to top position of governmental program - SouthCoastToday.com