Politics have always piqued Michael Hoosier’s interest.

So the Warrenton High School senior acknowledged he was in awe during a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., last month. An up close tour of several national monuments and face-to-face meetings with numerous elected officials, including this country’s top commander, President Barack Obama, will do that to most teenagers.

“I was passionate about it before I went, but I could say it renewed my passion,”  Hoosier said. “I think everyone gained a new perspective on what public service is about.”

Hoosier was one of only 98 delegates — two from each state excluding Hawaii — chosen to attend the American Legion Boys Nation. Each delegate acts as a senator from his state and experiences the political process including handling legislation and debating on the Senate floor.

“I think it really exemplified what our government is supposed to be about,” Hoosier said. “It gave me a new faith. If we really are the people who will be running it, I think there is a good shot the United States will be all right. A lot of people want to get involved, want to make a positive change. There is a lot of hope out there. It really gave me new hope to get into politics.”

During the all-expense-paid trip, which was held July 23-31, Hoosier toured historical sites such as the Vietnam Wall, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Washington Monument. He also had the opportunity to meet and speak with U.S. Sen. Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill.

But one of the top highlights was meeting with Obama. Hoosier was one of only a handful of delegates to shake hands with Obama.

That encounter followed a tour of the White House and stops in the Blue Room, Green Room and Red Room. 

“I didn’t know what to say,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Hello Mr. President.’ It was really neat. Whether someone agrees with him politically, to be able to meet him, that is a personification of what America is about.”

The East Coast trip gave Hoosier time to appreciate what the country has to offer and to take a more active role in its future. He is now rethinking a career in politics.

“We’re at the top of the list, we’re the most powerful country in the world,” Hoosier said. “It’s not because we have the most money. It’s not because we have the strongest military. Those are great things, but we have a government that is supposed to be ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.’ It’s really the people who do have the power.”

Hoosier received the opportunity to attend Boys Nation after attending the weeklong Boys State of Missouri event earlier this summer. Following an intense interviewing process, he was selected from a group of nearly 1,000 students from all across Missouri.

During his time at Boys State, he served on the city council and was minority whip in the House of Representatives.

“I learned more in one week at Warrensburg than in any class I have ever taken,” Hoosier said.

Hoosier, who began his senior year last week and is applying at several colleges, with Washington University, Vanderbilt University and University of Chicago at the top of his list, was thankful for the opportunity to be chosen for the state and national events.

He also complimented Warrenton Post 122 for its support of the program.

“Overall it was an amazing experience,” Hoosier said. “I am so glad I was able to do it. It was very eye-opening and a humbling experience. 

“You were exhausted, but you loved every minute.”