The duo, who will be seniors next year, were among 950 students selected by American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary groups state-wide to participate in a week-long Boys' State conference in June. Michael and Jason were selected by the American Legion's Willow Glen Chapter based on their academic excellence, leadership and community involvement.

For Michael and Jason, who knew little about the government process before the conference, it was an eye-opening experience.

Michael took on the role of city manager in his make-believe city of Muir while Jason was elected as city councilman in his community of Sloat. The duo kept order at city council meetings, proposed ordinances and established laws.

"I learned a lot about what city managers and councilmen do and what their duties entail," Michael said. "I appreciate what people behind the scenes do now and I appreciate their effort."

Building consensus was one of the most important lessons Tom learned. "I've realized how much work it is trying to get everyone to agree," Tom said. "We have four or five city meetings a day and we would spend two meetings on one topic, trying to get everyone to agree."

At the conference, the two also honed their public speaking and leadership skills and had the chance to meet California senators and assembly members Joseph Simitian and Rebecca Cohn.

"I have a lot of respect for them," Tom said. "They have to come up with fair laws and be good public speakers so they can convince people to agree with them."

At the conference in Sacramento, the students spent a week forming their own government. They were each assigned to a party--Federalist or Whig--and a city area, where they lived for the week. Several cities teamed up to form a county; together all the groups constituted a state.

The students also set up their own city governments by electing a city council. A board of supervisors, a superior court judge, a district attorney and a sheriff were also elected on the county level. Students held a primary election for state offices. Candidates nominated at the primary level advanced to the general election. State offices included governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, controller, secretary of state and supreme court justices.

While the boys beefed up their knowledge about government, they also had fun playing sports and interacting with other participants at the conference. Both intend to keep in touch with the friends they made there.

The conference has also fueled their interest in current affairs now that they understand "how things work in the capitol," said Jason, who is Associated Student Body president at Willow Glen High School.

"Being in government means having power to make positive changes," Jason said. "Now when I read the papers, I understand better what's going on. If a law takes a long time to pass, I know why because I understand the processes."

Michael added that he learned more in one week than he ever did from some of his textbooks.

When school starts, the teens will be encouraging their schoolmates to take part in next year's Boys' State Conference.

"It's the best experience I've had in my life so far," Jason said.