1965 Boys State Maryville Participants Flew to Event in 7 Private Planes

In 1965 Maryville Boys State participants flew to the event in Warrensburg on 7 private planes from Maryville Airport.

Maryville Daily Forum June 12, 1965 p1 p2

ON THEIR WAY Fifteen Maryville boys were used to take the boys and their bags, two from Fairfax, and one from Skidmore, to the Legion-sponsored event. They emplaned at 10 o’clock this morning for boys, pilots and Legion officials are shown Boys State at Warrensburg. Seven planes shortly before take-off this morning

Boys State Youths Fly To Sessions Fifteen Maryville R-II High School boys left today aboard seven planes for Boys’ State in Warrensburg, where they will participate in planned activities through next Saturday. The annual Boys’ State, a simulated government sponsored for 34 years by the American Legion, will be attended by more than 800 boys from all parts of Missouri.

Joe Cornelison of Maryville was the governor of Boys’ State last year and also attended Boys’ National. He left Friday for Boys State and will rule as governor until Thursday, when a new governor is elected. Robert Bosch, Maryville, editor of the Boys’ State paper last year, also left Friday with Cornelison and will supervise the paper this year.

The boys were flown to Warrensburg by

• Ewart Burch
• Norvel Sayler
• Dr. G. W. Long
• Jack Donaldson
• Glenn DeVooght
• Joe Rankin
• Curtis Meadows, Maitland.

Those going to Boys’ State and their sponsors are:

1. James Whan, son of Sgt. and Mrs. J. W. Whan – Kiwanis Club.
2. Donald Beggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Quinten Beggs, Legion Post 100.
3. Stephen Carstenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Carstenson – Lions Club.
4. Erich Winter, son of the Rev. and Mrs. F. Hauser Winter – Rotary Club.
5. Michael Hasty, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hasty – Nodaway Valley Bank
6. Gregory Watkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Watkins – St. Joseph Light and Power Co.
7. Ted Tyson, son of Mrs. Betty Tyson, Wilson, Maryville Packing, and Lloyd Chain companies.
8. Ren Hinshaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hinshaw, Kiwanis Club.
9. Stephen Schottel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Schottel, Citizens State Bank.
10. Allan Showers, son of Mr. and Mrs.Donald K. Showers, Condon’s Corner Drug.
11. Robbie Wood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wood – Maryville Shoe and Gray Insurance companies.
12. John Beeman. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Beeman, Haines Drug Store.
13. Michael Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Anderson, Phares Oil Co.
14. William Watkins. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Watkins, Jackson Insurance Co.
15. C. W. Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Wright, King’s Station and Cafe.

The boys were chosen by the American Legion committee and the Maryville High School administration.

Boys State Overview
American Legion Boys State is a prestigious, week-long summer leadership and citizenship program for high school juniors (rising seniors) that immerses them in a hands-on, mock government experience. Participants are selected based on leadership, character, and academic success to learn how to run local and state governments, with a focus on civic responsibility, practical politics, and patriotism. 

1. They flew seven planes because in 1965, the only thing more rural than Maryville was their idea of “carpool.”
2. In 1965 Maryville, “mass transit” meant coordinating seven dads with Cessnas and a thermos of coffee.
3. They called it Boys State; the planes called it Boys First Class. (Legroom: one fishing pole.)
4. The flight plan? Straight to Warrensburg. The mission? Teach civics, with complimentary peanuts and small-town pride.
5. Maryville’s travel budget: seven private planes. Maryville’s logistics team: Mom with a roll of duct tape.
6. It was 1965—no TSA, no worries, just seven pilots who knew everyone’s middle name.
7. Maryville sent seven planes so every boy could practice his handshake before arriving in style.
8. The real civics lesson: how to queue for the single restroom on a 1965 Cessna.
9. They called it Boys State, but with seven private planes, it might as well have been Boys First Class.
10. Maryville’s travel motto: Why take one bus when you can take seven planes and a mother’s worry?
11. The in-flight entertainment was riveting—crop reports and county fair gossip.
12. By the time they got to Warrensburg, the boys had already formed two political parties and one fishing club.
13. They flew because the highway had too many tractors and not enough time.
14. Maryville turned Boys State into a flying field trip—no permission slip required, just a firm nod.
15. The seven planes ensured everyone had room for a debate speech and a pie from the county fair.
16. If democracy had frequent-flyer miles, Maryville would’ve been president by 1966.
17. Maryville’s travel planner: “How many planes? Enough to make the highway jealous.”
18. Cabin announcements included: “Please fasten your seatbelt and your civic duty.”
19. They called it Boys State, but with seven Cessnas, it was really Boys Sky.
20. The in-flight handbook: keep your speech brief and your fishing rod shorter.
21. Moms packed lunchboxes; pilots packed patience. Democracy ran on peanut butter and optimism.
22. By the time they landed, every boy had practiced two handshakes and one platform pose.
23. Maryville figured if the road was bumpy, at least the air would be scenic.
24. Seven planes, seven pilots, one town with more hometown pride than runway space.
25. They flew because the tractor parade was still in town—and they didn’t want to be late.